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 Continue reading…

Category: News & Updates

Round-Up to launch multimillion dollar renovation of west grandstands

Architect Rendering

The Pendleton Round-Up Association has unanimously decided to spend $8.6 million to dramatically upgrade the west grandstands in time for the rodeo’s centennial celebration in 2010. Round-Up President Randy Severe is in the process of establishing a committee to finalize the agreement with WC Construction of Elgin, Ore., which will serve as general contractor for the project.

The financing for the project comes from several sources. The association will take out a loan to be supported by royalties received from Round-Up’s relationship with Hood River Distilleries for the sale of Pendleton Whisky. In addition, Round-Up has received a private donation from Pendleton Woolen Mills, a long-time friend and partner of the rodeo. Grant funding from various foundations and state and federal monies will round out the funding.

The tough economic times actually inspired the association to act on the project now, according to Director Mike Thorne, who chairs the Long Range Planning Continue reading…

Category: Features, News & Updates

Efforts for large-scale improvements at both the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon grounds received a major boost with a with a $500,000 grant from the Meyer Memorial Trust. $300,000 of the funding will support the Pendleton Round-Up Centennial Grandstand project and $200,000 of the funding will support the reconstruction of the roof structure at Happy Canyon that was previously removed for safety reasons. The Round-Up grant is contingent upon a $300,000 community fundraising match.

The Pendleton Round-Up Association has developed plans to replace the west end seating with new grandstands that will complement the existing historic structures while providing cover and adding convenience and safety features to the complex. Happy Canyon is working on a multi-phase grounds improvement project with the first Continue reading…

Category: News & Updates