Round-Up directors Bill Quesenberry, Kevin Hudson, Tygh Campbell holding his daughter Charlie, Randy Severe, Carl Peterson, Larry Williams, Bill Lorenzen and Troy LeGore grabbed some shovels Sept. 27 as WC Construction began the demolition phase on the west grandstands.

PENDLETON, Ore. – The Pendleton Round-Up Association is getting ready for the centennial with an ambitious project that will see the west grandstand seating improved and covered from the elements. Demolition work by Jim Hatley of WC Construction began over the weekend and Round-Up President Randy Severe said it won’t take long to complete that phase.

“If all goes according to schedule, the demolition part will be completed Oct. 1,” Severe said. “It’s going to really be an asset for Round-Up in the future.”

In addition to covering 8,000 seats, the project will construct booths to sell refreshments as well as three additional sets of restroom facilities, Severe said.

“It’s going to be very user-friendly,” he said of the improvements. “It will be a real asset for the Round-Up and for Pendleton for years to come.”

Advance tickets for the 2010 Round-Up in the west grandstands are already sold out for Friday and Saturday according to Round-Up Director Troy LeGore. Some additional tickets made available after permanent orders are taken could be freed up for sale in the spring of 2010.

Severe said the Round-Up Association has taken a three-pronged approach to improving the four-day rodeo that is held the second full week of September.

“First, two years ago, we really concentrated on making things better for the contestants,” he said. “This year our focus was the volunteers, and we constructed a parking lot for their use. Now we’re focusing on the spectators with this project and the Centennial Plaza, which will be totally complete by the 100^th anniversary rodeo.”

The 2010 Round-Up will be held Sept. 15-18. Round-Up week festivities begin Sept. 11 with a parade and concert. Tickets to the rodeo or the Happy Canyon Night Show, can be ordered by calling 800-457-6336 or 541-276-2553.