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FORT SCOTT, Kan. — The Fort Scott City Commission on Tuesday directed City Manager Brad Matkin to move forward with his proposal of a new rodeo arena at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds, a project he estimated at just under $4 million.
Matkin pitched the roughly 2,000-seat facility as a way to reverse declining sales tax collections, telling commissioners the city is on pace to lose $155,000 in sales tax revenue from 2025 to 2026 and $302,000 since 2024.
"Sales tax is something that we rely on a lot," Matkin said. "And I'm not going to lie, even being in this job for four years, I'm still learning a lot and I'm learning that sales tax is what really makes us go."
The proposal calls for building around the existing 180-by-350-foot arena footprint at the fairgrounds, adding 2,000 grandstand seats, six professional bull chutes, a party deck, a VIP deck, a food court and a new announcer stand.
A roof would cover the arena and both decks, but the ends would stay open because heating and cooling a fully enclosed building would be too expensive, Matkin said. He said the land would be leased from the Bourbon County Fair Board, which has voted to give the city the opportunity.
Matkin said the Fort Scott Community College spring rodeo drew 3,900 visitors this year to Arnold Arena, which seats just over 500 people. Citing Placer AI foot-traffic data, he said Sharky's Pub and Grub saw 772 visitors during the three-day event, McDonald's 770 and the Sleep Inn 297.
He pointed to Pretty Prairie, Kansas, as proof of what rodeo events can bring to a small town.
"Population of Pretty Prairie, Kansas, 650 people. They put on a four-day rodeo event. Their attendance, 26,500 people," Matkin said. "I've said this for four years. Why not us? Why not Fort Scott?"
Matkin's cost estimate totaled $3,999,000, with the largest line items being $1.8 million for the roof, $981,000 for lights and electric, and $800,000 for seating. To fund it, he listed a bond paid from the city budget, selling city-owned property, grants, sponsorships and an annual rodeo gala, saying he already has a verbal $20,000 sponsorship commitment for the party deck.
Matkin said the state's first suggestion was STAR bond financing, but he favored a traditional bond instead to protect the city's sales tax revenue.
“To do what this is supposed to do, we don't want to stop our sales tax from growing,” Matkin said. “We want to continue growing with our sales tax. So a STAR bond to me is an option, but not the best when you're wanting to increase sales tax.”
Commissioner Julie Buchta asked Matkin to clarify that statement for the public, noting he meant increasing sales tax revenues rather than the sales tax rate.
"We will not increase sales tax," Matkin said.
Buchta framed the project as a financial necessity for a city with strained coffers.
"Our sales tax being down is a perfect example and I don't want us to have to cut services," Buchta said. "If we lose all of our sales tax general fund money, we're not going to be able to continue making progress."
Commissioner Matthew Wells said a previous feasibility study showed a rodeo arena would draw visitors from Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and beyond, and warned that at least five nearby communities are eyeing similar projects.
"If we're going to strike, we should strike while the iron's hot," Wells said.
Wells then moved to direct Matkin to contact city bond counsel Garth Herrmann and move forward with the project.
“I would make a motion that we direct Brad to get real numbers, get with Garth on what he needs, set up the task force, set up the sponsorships and whatever else he feels is needed to make the Fort Scott Rodeo Arena a reality.” Wells said.
Buchta seconded, and commissioners unanimously approved the motion. Matkin said he wants construction moving in 2027.
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce President Lindsay Madison also endorsed the plan.
"I think it could be a huge economic win for all of our businesses and our community as far as the revenue," Madison said.
A copy of the presentation Matkin gave the Commission is linked below:
