The renovations are modeled after venues in Las Vegas and Fort Worth – all in an effort to create spaces for multiple purposes.
SAN ANTONIO — The executive director of Bexar County Community Arenas, Derrick Howard along with Cody Davenport the CEO of the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo presented the proposal Tuesday.
“A lot of those buildings are old, they’re becoming dilapidated,” Howard said. “They really shouldn’t be used. Part of it is, you’ve got to clean out to be ready for the new.”
The potential expansion includes three new and modified ‘flex’ buildings which will include courts like pickleball and basketball, and additional space for events like conventions and trade shows. An estimated cost of $119 million.
“Now we have the potential and opportunity to take those grounds down there and really make them vibrant on a year round basis,” Davenport said.
There are plans to modify Expo Hall 1 – making it into a permanent show arena – with an estimated price tag of $35 million.
In a 4-1 vote Tuesday, precinct 1 commissioner Rebeca Clay-Flores voted in favor of Tuesday’s proposal.
“We need to make sure that two staples of the community which is the rodeo and the Freeman Coliseum continue to be supported,” Clay-Flores said.
Additions to the center and surrounding buildings are hoping to kickstart potential year-round activities and even career and workforce events.
Commissioner Flores says certain items like the venue tax will be up to voters.
“It’s up to the voters,” she said. “Its up to the constituents. It’s up to Bexar county residents to vote and say ‘Yes, we’re going to use these visitor tax dollars.’ We are not raising taxes for our constituents, but the visitor tax dollars to go for these specific venues. They cannot be used for anything else.”
County commissioners will discuss the proposal further in the June 10 meeting.