The Taylor Town Council agreed Feb. 3 to lend funds to complete Phase 1 of a proposal made by Special Events/Special Days Committee Chairman Vance Muder to add close to 1,500 seats to the rodeo arena at Rodeo Park.

“Over the last little while we have had to turn people away for the 4th of July Rodeo,” said Muder, noting that they have parts and pieces they discussed using for more seating in a previous council meeting. At that time, estimates came in at nearly $250,000 to make it happen and they found it difficult to find an engineer for the project.

“Gus (Lundberg, town manager) found us some cheaper options,” said Muder.

The committee does not have the $42,000 needed for Phase 1 of the project, but, “I promise you come July 6, we’ll have enough money,” said Muder as he asked the council members if they would approve loaning the money for the project.

Phase 1 entails installing a 30’x80’ level slab upon which a 15-row bleacher will be placed. It will seat roughly 650 people.

Phase 2 would be to add a structure directly behind those bleachers that will include bathrooms and a concession area, and will house Phase 3, adding approximately 700 seats.

“What are the time frames?” asked Councilman Dave Smith.

Vice Mayor Shawn Palmer, who serves on the Rodeo Committee, said that they would begin immediately with Phase 1 and hope to have the other phases completed in a year.

“That’s wishful thinking,” commented Muder.

One of the problems has been engineering, which they found was difficult to get for the pieces that they have, but Phases 1 and 3 will come with engineering, and the left over pieces from the first project will be used for the building in Phase 2.

Muder explained that they can purchase the bleachers for $42,061, plus tax, and will have a coordinated volunteer effort to erect the bleachers. The Special Events Committee fund has roughly $30,000, and Muder asked the town to lend the committee approximately $15,000 until it can be repaid after the rodeo this summer.

“If we can acquire the material, I don’t think you’ll have any problem getting enough help. We’ve done that before in this community and they’ve come through,” said Mayor Fay Hatch.

Palmer thanked Building Official/Zoning Administrator Allen Davis, who came up with this “great idea.”

Palmer made a motion to approve the bleacher purchase proposal as discussed. The motion passed unanimously.

In other business Barbara Bruce was unanimously approved to fill a vacant seat on the Special Events Committee.