Volunteers are transforming the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo site into a welcoming, year-round destination, driven by community pride and economic growth plans.
SAN ANTONIO — Volunteers came armed with sharp, pointy sticks, grabber tools and gusto to clean an east-side connector route used by thousands of guests every year at San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo events.
Cleanup leader ‘Big John’ Leifester told the volunteers it’s important that visitors feel safe and welcomed to the area, that’s expected to see a transformation in the coming years as the San Antonio Spurs move to their new home downtown and leave the Frost Bank Center.
The change, that planners expect to happen in 2032, is part of improvements that were promised to citizens last fall when they voted for Prop A.
The 30-year venue tax is supposed to help transform the short term rodeo event into a year round revenue generator at the arena complex.
Even though the main event is months away, running from February 11 through February 27, Leifester told the group who showed up bright and early Saturday morning, “We have a lot of visitors here who pass through for our events.”
For example, Leifester said, thousands of guests attend an annual BBQ cookoff to help launch the rodeo season that features competitive teams from around the world.
The event is held in the 1700 block of Creekview, but guests all park almost two miles away in the 200 block of Gembler.
As they bus from one venue to another, they said it’s important to have a good look.
Volunteers, like Erin Sanchez, who helps direct the cookoff, said, “Our volunteer force is really dedicated and passionate about their community so anything we can do to enhance the community makes us feel pride in what we do.”
Sanchez said there are many committees that make the magic happen.
“We want to keep the momentum going and we’ve got the volunteer force to do it,” Sanchez said, adding “We’ve got 400 volunteers just on our one little committee.”
Mike Bachofer talked about dedication while filling up trash bags.
“I’ve been a life member since 1988. If they ask for help doing something I am glad to help and I’m always there,” Bachofer said, adding “Our community supports the stock show in so many different ways and this is just our way of giving back to the community.”
Bachofer pointed out the events generate millions of dollars to the east side economy, and with new development, the prosperity would only grow.
“If we went year-round, here we go again with milions and millions of dollars,” Bachofer said, adding that he wants people who use the entire area to feel welcomed.
“We see thousands and thousands of trailers coming up and down this road and we want to make sure it’s cleaned up and ready for them.”
He said he and others feel a sense of ownership and pride in making the area better “We use this road so we feel like it’s our responsibility to take care of it,” Bachofer said.
Volunteer Nancy Schnick, who help with the livestock portion of the event, spent much of the day laughing and joking with the long-term friends she treasures, who share common goals.
Talking about all of the various ways people invest in the program year-round, volunteer Dave Hansmann said “It is more than an :08 ride. It’s a 12-month ride. It’s year round. We never stop! We are always doing something.”
More information about volunteer opportunities related to the year-round events can be found here.