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MANDAN, N.D. — The organizers of Mandan Rodeo Days plan to build a $2.8 million arena.
The new arena, with two sets of 2,000-seat bleachers, is expected to open before the 2023 Mandan Rodeo Days event, organizers said in a statement issued Monday, May 9.
Jason Mittlestadt, past president of the volunteer Mandan Rodeo Days committee, said about $380,000 is still needed to fund the project and donations are being accepted.
The new arena will be built in place of the current Mandan Horse and Saddle Club arena, next to the Dacotah Speedway. It will include a food truck court, a video board and covered grandstands.
The arena will have sandy soil instead of the heavy clay in the old arena. "The clay ground gets sticky when it rains, making unsafe conditions for rodeo animals and contestants," organizers said in the statement.
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To save money, some of the existing infrastructure will be used, including the parking, ticketing and concessions areas.
The arena will be available for other equine and youth events such as team roping, barrel racing and bull riding competitions.
The facility will be called the Dale Pahlke Arena on the Dakota Community Bank & Trust Rodeo Grounds. Pahlke, a rodeo fan, and the bank made donations to the project.
This year's Mandan Rodeo Days are set for July 2-4.
