Groundbreaking Ceremony for New Multi-Use Arena at the Grants Rodeo Grounds

GRANTS, NM – After almost 4 years, ground was broken for the new Multi-Use Arena for the Grants Rodeo Grounds, phase one of the project will cost $8.5 million and the total project is said to cost $30 million, the Arena will be engineered by Smith Engineering Company and contracted by North Eighty Construction, the arena is expected to be completed by the fall.

Mayor Erik Garcia said, “It brings me immense pride to stand before you today, as we mark a historical milestone in our city’s journey. We are on the brink of a transformative endeavor of construction of an $8.5 million rodeo arena… This is the first phase of a monumental $30 million investment. This arena will not only be a testament to our city’s future plans, it will also serve as a stepping stone of opportunity for our community.” The arena is also said to be a versatile facility that will be able to host a variety of events including rodeo competition, BMX racing, motorcross, speed paintball tournaments, concerts and many more.

Mayor Garcia extended thanks towards the representative team in Santa Fe, including Representative Harry Garcia, Representative Eliseo Alcon, Senator George Munoz, and Senator Joshua Sanchez. He said, “For their commitment in securing financial assistance for our project, especially during the challenging times of COVID19 pandemic and the current impact of inflation.” The Arena itself received funding from DFA Capital Outlay, DFA Regional Recreation Center Quality of Life, and NMTD Destination Forward.

Mayor Garcia expressed his appreciation to the Rodeo Association for their resilience and perseverance in pursing the dream of having a multi-use arena. He said, “Their dedication is truly inspiring, thank you my rodeo friends.” Mayor Garcia also thanked the Council of Governments, hard working individuals from the “Dream Team”, and Smith Engineering. Mayor Garcia ended with thanking one final individual, “I want to extend my sincere appreciation to a remarkable individual who has influenced my vision for our city. This lady has a heart of gold for our community, and she has a platinum heart for our children. I love grandma Jamie… Her wisdom and her belief of the potential of this arena has been the source for inspiration to all of us.”

Those present at the groundbreaking ceremony were city councilors George Garcia, Beverly Michael, and Fred Rodarte. City of Grants staff City Clerk Frances Salas, Shannon DeVine, City Manager Andrew Valencia, and Special Projects Coordinator Nadine Jiron. Village of Milan Mayor Felix Gonzales, Interim Manager/Finance Director Candi Williams, as well as Rodeo Association members and staff from Smith Engineering.

Councilor Garcia said, “I just got here two years ago so this process was already underway. It combines the past with the future, and that’s what I liked about it. The rodeo has been the oldest rodeo in the state, and now we get to continue to move this forward with new events, opening things that have never been in Grants before… thank you rodeo association for being flexible on this, I know it’s going to be difficult, but it’s going to be good in the end.”

Councilor Rodarte said, “I woke up in the middle of the night, last night thinking about this place. I thought to myself, you know, it’s going to be a big project for the construction crew that are going to be building this place. It’s going to be a fabulous project.”

Councilor Michael said, “I’m a storyteller, I grew up at this rodeo arena all my life, coming to the Fourth of July rodeos and events that we had out here, my whole family did… all the happy times and running rodeos and watching my family rope, race and ride was a great time of life for me, and a great way to grow up here in Grants. Thank you for all your hard work and thank you Representative Harry Garcia.

President of the Grants Rodeo Association Dominic Moleres said, “Thank you to especially to Harry Garcia. Without him none of this would have been possible. Our council, our Mayor Erik Garcia. Thank you, guys, for supporting this project, it means a lot to us, to be here today. We started off on a scratch piece of paper with a dream and today this is the first step of getting this project underway.”