Hyrum nixes improvements to rodeo grounds

By Sarah West

November 19, 2005 | HYRUM -- Cowboys and livestock alike will enjoy a new rodeo ground fence and improved facilities, but not a widened arena. The Hyrum City Council on Thursday denied a request to move the rodeo grounds fence back farther to enlarge the arena.

To make the arena larger, many improvements would need to be done, including moving the fence 20 feet back, moving the bleachers back, redoing the sprinklers and moving two light poles. These projects combined would cost between $12,500 to $15,000.

"I think the rodeo and rodeo grounds are important to preserving our rural heritage," Mayor Gordon Olson said, "but I don't think the expenditure of funds is justified for two nights a year."

City Administrator Brent Jensen said, "It's not an easy, nor is it an inexpensive thing to do."

The council also discussed their financial situation in regards to the Hyrum City library-museum complex. Olson said they are better off financially now than they were a few months ago, which has allowed them to delay consideration of a bonds loan to finance the complex.

Olson said the city currently has $3,458,000 as commitments in the bank, pledges and grants from the federal government and the Eccles Foundation.

"We have ample money to get us through the winter and into next season," Olson said. His suggestion was to not even think about borrowing money until they need it. "If we do need a loan at that time, the interest would be higher, but the amount of money would be significantly less," he said.

NW
MS