Questions surround rodeo arena plans

By Bill Donovan
Staff writer

GALLUP — Is there an indoor rodeo arena in Gallup's future?

That's what county and city officials have been wondering for several days now ever since reports were made public that Gov. Bill Richardson would like to see one or more of them in the state.

According to reports, Richardson has set aside $12 million at least in his mind from increased gas revenue to build one or two indoor rodeo arenas somewhere in New Mexico.

County spokesman Doug Decker said Richardson was asked during Gallup McKinley Day last Friday about where the money would go, but Richardson wouldn't give any answer.

Gallup Mayor Bob Rosebrough said he also has been trying, without any luck, to find out where Richardson plans to put the arenas.

Rosebrough and others think that Richardson has already made up his mind where to put the arenas, but for whatever reason, he's keeping that decision under wraps for the present time.

But one thing Rosebrough does know is that there is no better place for the state to put such a facility than Gallup.

He pointed to the natural beauty of this area and the fact that this area has probably the most number of rodeo fans in the state.

This is made evident by the fact that Gallup has been getting more and more contracts in the last couple of years to be the site of state, regional and national rodeo events for young people.

Thanks to the area Native American population, he said, these events are well attended.

There's also the fact that Gallup residents have been talking about an indoor arena and auditorium for more than 10 years.

Former County Commissioner Harry Mendoza, once he stepped down from the county commission, ran in the last city council race on a platform of getting an indoor auditorium and arena for Gallup and he almost won the election.

Rosebrough said if Richardson has made up his mind as to where the arena or arenas will go, there's not much use of Gallup and county officials trying to encourage him to look at Gallup.

"We'll just have to wait and see what happens," Rosebrough said.