Page 8
SUPPLEMENT TO THE CHRONICLE
July 22, 2009
Omak gets a new
Chronicle photo by Dee Camp
Chronicle photo
April 2009: The new arena, from Suicide Hill.
May 2009: Arena looms over the park.
Chronicle photo by Sheila Corson
June 2009: North stands are nearly done.
Chronicle photo by Sheila Corson
Stampede Arena
June 2009: Retaining wall rider remains.
Chronicle photo by Al Camp
July 2009: New lighting brightens the arena. The chute seats, which once rose above most areas of the arena, now seem smaller.
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The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle, July 22, 2009
Page 2
July 22, 2009
SUPPLEMENT TO THE CHRONICLE
SUPPLEMENT TO THE CHRONICLE
July 22, 2009
Page 7
Chronicle photo by Al Camp
Omak Stampede board president George Dunckel pauses in the new arena.
Chronicle photo by Sheila Corson Chronicle photo by Sheila Corson
OMAK — A sneak peek event for the new Omak Stampede Arena will be July 25, with tours starting at 4:30 p.m. Stampede and city officials will take tour groups through the new facilities, Mayor Cindy Gagne said. Music will be performed from 7-10 p.m. Pop and water will be sold, courtesy of Pepsi, with all proceeds going to Omak Rodeo and Native American Center. The team is hoping to get a permit to serve beer in the beer gardens that evening, too, Gagne said. Proceeds would go to ORNAC. Rocky’s Burger Wagon will
be on site for food purchases from 5:30-8 p.m. Burgers and hot dogs, drinks, popsicles, potato salad and chips will be available. The Company Store — Stampede’s souvenir stand — will sell Stampede memorabilia and Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign fund-raiser items, such as shirts. Carnival armbands, Stampede Charm Trail items and rodeo tickets also will be available. An official ribbon cutting ceremony will follow the Omak Chamber of Commerce-Omak Stampede luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, near the Stampede office. KFC will cater at $6 per person.
You Don’t Want to Miss Our Store-Wide Summer Sale!
Photo by Chad Short
March 2009: Construction, from the top of the chute seats.
September 2008: Boards are removed from seats.
City offers a sneak peek of new arena
By Sheila Corson Chronicle staff
October 2008: Only the arena fence remains.
Chronicle photo
September 2008: South bleachers are stripped of seats.
Chronicle photos by Sheila Corson
Construction nears completion in June. The view (above) includes the Suicide Hill. The chute seats (below, center right) are dwarfed by the new structure.
Contractor # TYOLSC1988DQ
(Continued from previous page) May 2008 The city council decides to tear down the arena after the 2008 rodeo and replace it with a new aluminum seating structure. That means scrapping more than three years of arena planning work that cost nearly $500,000. Only the chute seats (Maley bleachers) would remain. June 2008 Final plans for the new Omak Stampede Arena are nearing completion, but the city still needs about $1 million to complete the project in addition to $4 million received from the state Legislature. July 2008 A fund-raising committee is formed to raise about $500,000
Photo by Chad Short
Chronicle photo
January 2009: Amid flying snow, supports are unloaded.
needed to complete the arena project. Naming rights, seat plaques and inscribed bricks are planned. Bids for the arena come in under estimates. Garco Construction, Spokane, submits the low basic bid of $3,085,000, including demolition of the wooden south bleacher section and replacement with new aluminum structures that will include 5,541 seats. Garco submitts a bid of $1,295,000 for alternative I - construction of 1,600 covered aluminum bleacher seats on the north side of the arena. August 2008 Folks who have a favorite seat in the Omak Stampede Arena can purchase it for $10.
The sales are a fund-raiser for the new arena. With no discussion or comment, the Omak City Council approves the low bid for the Omak Stampede Arena replacement project Aug. 18. The approval includes both the north and south grandstands at a total cost of $4,380,000. Garco Construction, Spokane, is the low bidder. September 2008 Omak City Council approves a shoreline height variance for the north grandstands of the new arena. Restrictions in the city’s shoreline master program call for no structures taller than 35 feet within the shoreline jurisdiction. The north grandstands are expected to be about
March 2009: New arena begins to take shape.
46 feet tall. October 2008 As much as 90 percent of the wood from the Omak Stampede arena will be recycled. Much of the reclaimed wood is Douglas fir and tamarack. November 2008 The Economic Alliance board recommends approval for the city to receive $40,000 from the county’s emerging opportunities .09 fund in 2009 for the arena project. Another $700,000 will come from a local option capital asset loan, to be repaid by the county .09 fund, hotelmotel taxes and an admission tax. December 2008 Former Suicide Racer Bink Picard fashions some former
arena seats into booths for his Canvas Cowboys Gallery, Gear and Grill in Omak. March 2009 The discovery of an ancient fire pit under the north bleachers of the Omak Stampede Arena causes a short delay in construction. Archeologists from Plateau Archaeological Services, Pullman, catalogue and secure artifacts for storage under authority of the Colville Confederated Tribes. July 2009 The Omak Stampede Arena is finished, with more than 7,700 seats. Only the chute seats remain from the old arena. Stampede volunteers work to build concession booths and beer gardens.
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Page 6
SUPPLEMENT TO THE CHRONICLE
July 22, 2009
SUPPLEMENT TO THE CHRONICLE
July 22, 2009
Page 3
Ladd photo
Bev Conner rides in the 1935 Omak Stampede, the first in the arena. Chronicle photo
Folks mill around the chutes in 1963. Northwest Architectural Co.
Chronicle photos by Al Camp
A not-so-Western arena concept was drawn up and ultimately scrapped.
The beginning of the end: A 1997 tornado tears off part of the north roof.
(Continued from previous page) April 2007 State funding remains up in the air. Rep. Joel Kretz, R-Wauconda, says the Senate has $250,000 penciled in for the arena. Citing liability concerns, Mayor Dale Sparber says at least part of the arena will be torn down after the 2007 Omak Stampede. No amount of liability insurance would cover the city if the already rickety bleachers came down with people on and under them, he says. Temporary bleachers might be necessary if the north, east and south bleachers are razed. Just before adjourning April 22, state lawmakers include $4 million in the capital budget for the Okanogan Valley Equestrian and Cultural Heritage Center aka Omak Stampede arena - in the 2007-2009 budget.
Omak Stampede president Jim Hensarling proposes an alternative to design plans. During a brainstorming meeting for the 75th anniversary of the Omak Stampede, Hensarling says Stampede directors never have been in support of the proposed phased-in construction. He proposes a $3.4 million, 7,500-seat bleacher system similar to the Ellensburg arena. May 2007 Omak city officials show off new designs for the proposed arena. A 2,200-seat module would replace the south bleachers. Temporary bleachers would be needed for larger seating capacity. June 2007 City calls for bids on a 2,200seat grandstand to replace the south section of the arena. The cost is estimated at $4.2 million, not including demolition.
Council members Watts and Stewart again say the project shouldn’t be built as proposed. Watts suggests giving East Side Park to the Colville Confederated Tribes and building an equestrian center at the north end of town. Two weeks later, Stewart questions where the city would get its share of construction costs and says the state’s $4 million could go toward a covered equestrian center in north Omak. Many people attending a meeting to show off the latest designs say the current structure is fine and either needs a little elbow grease or should be replaced by bleachers. August 2007 On the eve of the Omak Stampede, council members vote to approve the low bidder for demolition of the Omak Stampede
arena’s south grandstands. Demolition is delayed because the state wants the arena’s historical significance studied. September 2007 The city approves a contract with Plateau Archaeological Investigation to perform a cultural and historical resource survey of the arena. The state Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation calls for the survey before allowing the city to tear down part of the old arena. November 2007 The state Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation calls for more historic analysis of the Omak Stampede arena site. A level II historic American buildings survey and historic American engineering record on the aging and dilapidated structure will be required. City and Stampede officials meet with a representative of
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Dan (DJ) Shiflett, Designer
Southern Bleacher Co., Ellensburg, to discuss the possibility of building a concrete, aluminum and steel structure. December 2007 The city council contracts for a report on the arena, as required by the state. Arrow Rock Architects, Boise, Idaho, will provide photographs of the current structure, architectural and historical reports, and sketch drawings of the arena. February 2008 A structural engineer hired by the city to inspect the Omak Stampede Arena grandstands has given the structure a goahead for the 75th anniversary of the Omak Stampede. Some reinforcements and other work are needed. The city gets an estimate of $3.4 million to replace the arena with a metal bleacher system. (Continued on next page)
Chronicle photo
The Stampede grounds from the air, in the late 1950s or early 1960s.
Arena serves Stampede long and well Compiled by Dee Camp Chronicle staff 1933 The first Omak Stampede is held on the Omak High School football field. 1935 Stampede moves to the newly constructed Omak Stampede Arena in East Side Park. The primitive bleachers, built with volunteer help and lumber do-
nated by Biles-Coleman Lumber Co., seat about 750 people. 1930s-1940s The Omak Active Club takes over Stampede under an agreement that calls for all profits not required by the Stampede to be used for East Side Park improvements. Expansion of the arena continues. Late 1940s The Omak Active Club build-
ing committee, headed by Jerry Bramer, continues to improve the arena with covered grandstands that seat about 1,500. Bleachers provide seating for about 3,500 fans, with the announcer’s stand built above the chutes. Stock is held in eight pens behind the chutes. 1947-48 Stands are enlarged to offer seating for 4,000 under cover.
1948 The Aug. 17, 1948, show, part of the 15th annual Omak Stampede, draws the largest crowd to date. All records are broken as more than 7,000 people jam into the stands. 1949 Lights are added to the arena, enabling night shows to be held. 1950 Arena serves a short winter-
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time stint as an ice skating rink. 1954 New stands costing $16,000 are added and painted, boosting the seating capacity to 8,000. New press box seats are added above the chutes. A turn-away crowd shows up for the Sunday show, setting a new record. 1972 Arena is damaged during the Okanogan River flood. (Continued on next page)
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Page 4
SUPPLEMENT TO THE CHRONICLE
July 22, 2009
SUPPLEMENT TO THE CHRONICLE
July 22, 2009
Page 5
Chronicle photos The arena shows damage from the 1972 flood. Hats are off during the National Anthem in 1974.
Chronicle photos
In the original chute seat section, the announcer and helpers had to stand. (Continued from previous page 1973 New chute seats are installed and a new announcer’s stand is built. Stampede officials also rebuild the maze of holding pens and chutes for both rough stock and timed events animals, and make safety improvements to Suicide Hill. 1997 A late August tornado peels the roof off a portion of the north stands. The city gets an in-
Volunteers in 1963 work on the annual ritual of brushing off and painting the grandstands.
surance settlement. 1998 The arena goes topless as roof structures are removed from most of the rest of the arena. Stampede and city officials talk about arena replacement. January 2005 Planners envision a restructured East Side Park; Legislature passes equestrian center bill, giving the city $250,000 toward design of a new arena. June 2005
Okanogan County Crematory “Our first and only local cremation facility.”
Mayor Dale Sparber appeals to city residents to help with arena design and a proposed revamped park plan. An arena planning group begins meeting monthly. Representatives from the City of Omak, Colville Confederated Tribes, Omak Stampede and other groups meet with architects. September 2005 Chute seats get bucked off arena design; council decides to replace the popular seating sec-
Jud Lockwood (left) amd Al Gariano check out deep snow in the arena in February 1969.
tion named for longtime Stampede volunteer Paul Maley. December 2005 A goal of the 2006 budget is to complete the Stampede arena design and pursue funding. Rep. Joel Kretz, R-Wauconda, says he’ll support the arena project and will submit the project for inclusion in the state’s 2006 capital budget. January 2006 Omak delegation heads to Olympia to seek arena money.
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City officials say they hope to gain legislative support for the project, which would cost $8 million for the first phase and more than $32 million to complete all phases of work in East Side Park. Drawings are shown to the city council. Rep. Joel Kretz, R-Wauconda, says the city has little chance of getting state money for the arena project, despite the appeal to legislators by a city delegation. (Continued on following page)
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(Continued from previous page) March 2006 Tempers flare as architects propose a 3,500- to 4,500-seat arena with far fewer seats than the 7,000 or so in the existing arena. A “light” version is proposed — 3,500 seats, office space and museum space, beer and dance areas, winners’ circle, fencing and pens, but no roof. Price tag: $4.9 million. The complete version, with plenty of glass walls, 3,500 seats, roof, offices, museum, winners’ circles, beer and dance areas, vendors’ concourse, fencing and pens would cost $6.6 million. May 2006 The Economic Alliance infrastructure committee ranks the arena and grounds redevelopment No. 2 on its list of projects to be presented to the Okanogan County commissioners for grant funding. June 2006
Omak City Council member Dennis Stewart tells the Omak Chamber of Commerce that the Stampede costs the city money. He questions the need to put money into a new arena, citing jurisdictional issues on reservation land, and says rebuilding the arena is a bad idea. Later in the month, Omak mayor Dale Sparber tells the Economic Alliance that two Omak city council members, Stewart and Clinton Watts, are against the proposed Omak Stampede arena rebuilding project. He said Stewart wanted to see the arena built at the north end of Omak, and also charged that the two were influenced by an unnamed developer. July 2006 Stewart tells the city council he thinks the city should rebuild the arena off the reservation or leave it as it stands. He charges
that Sparber misrepresented him before the Economic Alliance. Sparber and Stampede redevelopment project manager Kurt Danison outline park and arena plans, including the estimated cost for phase I — 5,500 covered seats - of $8.7 million with the likelihood it would rise to $10 million. August 2006 City council members say the arena proposal might go to a vote of Omak residents to determine if the structure is replaced or left to the elements. Sparber estimates Stampede brings at least $15 million into the community each year. September 2006 Plans are modified as Stampede volunteers question a glass facade in arena plans and why the plans don’t have more of a Western theme. October 2006
City council OKs more design work for the proposed arena. Changes are made to make the facility more Western looking. November 2006 In an effort to make the project more grant-friendly, an advisory group proposes changing the arena’s name. The city’s share of the estimated $8 million to $10 million construction cost would come to about $2 million. January 2007 The Okanogan-Omak Rotary Club pledges $40,000 toward redevelopment of the arena and grounds. Rep. Joel Kretz, R-Wauconda, says two Omak construction projects being touted in Olympia - the Omak Stampede Arena replacement project and a new Central Avenue bridge - are long shots for funding this year. A city delegation travels to Olympia to seek money and is
Okanogan Family Planning Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thank you for the hard work and dedication that went into providing our community with such a great facility. 127 Juniper Street • Omak 509-422-1624 • 1-800-660-1624 www.okanoganfamilyplanning.org
North Valley Family Medicine Tonasket & Oroville The Omak Clinic
encouraged by the response. Colville Business Council Chairman Michael Marchand, Omak District, puts his support for a new arena in writing. February 2007 A modular, phased approach is proposed for the new arena. Plans are redrawn at the suggestion of House Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, who says the estimated cost of $14.8 million is too much. March 2007 Attempts to get state money for the new Okanogan Valley Equestrian and Cultural Heritage Center are up in the air. A stripped-down, modular version of the new arena is estimated to cost about $8.1 million. Around $8.5 million is included in state budget documents. The city seeks $5 million in federal money to help with reconstruction of the arena. (Continued on next page)
Real estate sales and service for buyers and sellers. Congratulations, Stampede Directors, your hard work has paid off!
Thanks for all your hard work and dedication to our community!
Over 40 years in beautiful Okanogan Country with 17 years in real estate. Billie Holden, Owner/Broker Omak Stampede Director
PO Box 3850, Omak, WA 98841 509-826-1225 allpointsbillie@hotmail.com
Page 4
SUPPLEMENT TO THE CHRONICLE
July 22, 2009
SUPPLEMENT TO THE CHRONICLE
July 22, 2009
Page 5
Chronicle photos The arena shows damage from the 1972 flood. Hats are off during the National Anthem in 1974.
Chronicle photos
In the original chute seat section, the announcer and helpers had to stand. (Continued from previous page 1973 New chute seats are installed and a new announcer’s stand is built. Stampede officials also rebuild the maze of holding pens and chutes for both rough stock and timed events animals, and make safety improvements to Suicide Hill. 1997 A late August tornado peels the roof off a portion of the north stands. The city gets an in-
Volunteers in 1963 work on the annual ritual of brushing off and painting the grandstands.
surance settlement. 1998 The arena goes topless as roof structures are removed from most of the rest of the arena. Stampede and city officials talk about arena replacement. January 2005 Planners envision a restructured East Side Park; Legislature passes equestrian center bill, giving the city $250,000 toward design of a new arena. June 2005
Okanogan County Crematory “Our first and only local cremation facility.”
Mayor Dale Sparber appeals to city residents to help with arena design and a proposed revamped park plan. An arena planning group begins meeting monthly. Representatives from the City of Omak, Colville Confederated Tribes, Omak Stampede and other groups meet with architects. September 2005 Chute seats get bucked off arena design; council decides to replace the popular seating sec-
Jud Lockwood (left) amd Al Gariano check out deep snow in the arena in February 1969.
tion named for longtime Stampede volunteer Paul Maley. December 2005 A goal of the 2006 budget is to complete the Stampede arena design and pursue funding. Rep. Joel Kretz, R-Wauconda, says he’ll support the arena project and will submit the project for inclusion in the state’s 2006 capital budget. January 2006 Omak delegation heads to Olympia to seek arena money.
Trophies - Plaques - Medals - Ribbons Engraving done the way you want it. Fast and Reasonable
Awards
Phone 826-3154
Congratulations! abcawards@ncidata.com Clarice Schukar Owner since 2005
48 Wagon Trail Rd. Crumbacher Area
City officials say they hope to gain legislative support for the project, which would cost $8 million for the first phase and more than $32 million to complete all phases of work in East Side Park. Drawings are shown to the city council. Rep. Joel Kretz, R-Wauconda, says the city has little chance of getting state money for the arena project, despite the appeal to legislators by a city delegation. (Continued on following page)
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(Continued from previous page) March 2006 Tempers flare as architects propose a 3,500- to 4,500-seat arena with far fewer seats than the 7,000 or so in the existing arena. A “light” version is proposed — 3,500 seats, office space and museum space, beer and dance areas, winners’ circle, fencing and pens, but no roof. Price tag: $4.9 million. The complete version, with plenty of glass walls, 3,500 seats, roof, offices, museum, winners’ circles, beer and dance areas, vendors’ concourse, fencing and pens would cost $6.6 million. May 2006 The Economic Alliance infrastructure committee ranks the arena and grounds redevelopment No. 2 on its list of projects to be presented to the Okanogan County commissioners for grant funding. June 2006
Omak City Council member Dennis Stewart tells the Omak Chamber of Commerce that the Stampede costs the city money. He questions the need to put money into a new arena, citing jurisdictional issues on reservation land, and says rebuilding the arena is a bad idea. Later in the month, Omak mayor Dale Sparber tells the Economic Alliance that two Omak city council members, Stewart and Clinton Watts, are against the proposed Omak Stampede arena rebuilding project. He said Stewart wanted to see the arena built at the north end of Omak, and also charged that the two were influenced by an unnamed developer. July 2006 Stewart tells the city council he thinks the city should rebuild the arena off the reservation or leave it as it stands. He charges
that Sparber misrepresented him before the Economic Alliance. Sparber and Stampede redevelopment project manager Kurt Danison outline park and arena plans, including the estimated cost for phase I — 5,500 covered seats - of $8.7 million with the likelihood it would rise to $10 million. August 2006 City council members say the arena proposal might go to a vote of Omak residents to determine if the structure is replaced or left to the elements. Sparber estimates Stampede brings at least $15 million into the community each year. September 2006 Plans are modified as Stampede volunteers question a glass facade in arena plans and why the plans don’t have more of a Western theme. October 2006
City council OKs more design work for the proposed arena. Changes are made to make the facility more Western looking. November 2006 In an effort to make the project more grant-friendly, an advisory group proposes changing the arena’s name. The city’s share of the estimated $8 million to $10 million construction cost would come to about $2 million. January 2007 The Okanogan-Omak Rotary Club pledges $40,000 toward redevelopment of the arena and grounds. Rep. Joel Kretz, R-Wauconda, says two Omak construction projects being touted in Olympia - the Omak Stampede Arena replacement project and a new Central Avenue bridge - are long shots for funding this year. A city delegation travels to Olympia to seek money and is
Okanogan Family Planning Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thank you for the hard work and dedication that went into providing our community with such a great facility. 127 Juniper Street • Omak 509-422-1624 • 1-800-660-1624 www.okanoganfamilyplanning.org
North Valley Family Medicine Tonasket & Oroville The Omak Clinic
encouraged by the response. Colville Business Council Chairman Michael Marchand, Omak District, puts his support for a new arena in writing. February 2007 A modular, phased approach is proposed for the new arena. Plans are redrawn at the suggestion of House Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, who says the estimated cost of $14.8 million is too much. March 2007 Attempts to get state money for the new Okanogan Valley Equestrian and Cultural Heritage Center are up in the air. A stripped-down, modular version of the new arena is estimated to cost about $8.1 million. Around $8.5 million is included in state budget documents. The city seeks $5 million in federal money to help with reconstruction of the arena. (Continued on next page)
Real estate sales and service for buyers and sellers. Congratulations, Stampede Directors, your hard work has paid off!
Thanks for all your hard work and dedication to our community!
Over 40 years in beautiful Okanogan Country with 17 years in real estate. Billie Holden, Owner/Broker Omak Stampede Director
PO Box 3850, Omak, WA 98841 509-826-1225 allpointsbillie@hotmail.com
Page 6
SUPPLEMENT TO THE CHRONICLE
July 22, 2009
SUPPLEMENT TO THE CHRONICLE
July 22, 2009
Page 3
Ladd photo
Bev Conner rides in the 1935 Omak Stampede, the first in the arena. Chronicle photo
Folks mill around the chutes in 1963. Northwest Architectural Co.
Chronicle photos by Al Camp
A not-so-Western arena concept was drawn up and ultimately scrapped.
The beginning of the end: A 1997 tornado tears off part of the north roof.
(Continued from previous page) April 2007 State funding remains up in the air. Rep. Joel Kretz, R-Wauconda, says the Senate has $250,000 penciled in for the arena. Citing liability concerns, Mayor Dale Sparber says at least part of the arena will be torn down after the 2007 Omak Stampede. No amount of liability insurance would cover the city if the already rickety bleachers came down with people on and under them, he says. Temporary bleachers might be necessary if the north, east and south bleachers are razed. Just before adjourning April 22, state lawmakers include $4 million in the capital budget for the Okanogan Valley Equestrian and Cultural Heritage Center aka Omak Stampede arena - in the 2007-2009 budget.
Omak Stampede president Jim Hensarling proposes an alternative to design plans. During a brainstorming meeting for the 75th anniversary of the Omak Stampede, Hensarling says Stampede directors never have been in support of the proposed phased-in construction. He proposes a $3.4 million, 7,500-seat bleacher system similar to the Ellensburg arena. May 2007 Omak city officials show off new designs for the proposed arena. A 2,200-seat module would replace the south bleachers. Temporary bleachers would be needed for larger seating capacity. June 2007 City calls for bids on a 2,200seat grandstand to replace the south section of the arena. The cost is estimated at $4.2 million, not including demolition.
Council members Watts and Stewart again say the project shouldn’t be built as proposed. Watts suggests giving East Side Park to the Colville Confederated Tribes and building an equestrian center at the north end of town. Two weeks later, Stewart questions where the city would get its share of construction costs and says the state’s $4 million could go toward a covered equestrian center in north Omak. Many people attending a meeting to show off the latest designs say the current structure is fine and either needs a little elbow grease or should be replaced by bleachers. August 2007 On the eve of the Omak Stampede, council members vote to approve the low bidder for demolition of the Omak Stampede
arena’s south grandstands. Demolition is delayed because the state wants the arena’s historical significance studied. September 2007 The city approves a contract with Plateau Archaeological Investigation to perform a cultural and historical resource survey of the arena. The state Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation calls for the survey before allowing the city to tear down part of the old arena. November 2007 The state Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation calls for more historic analysis of the Omak Stampede arena site. A level II historic American buildings survey and historic American engineering record on the aging and dilapidated structure will be required. City and Stampede officials meet with a representative of
TIMBER QUEST LLC. Specializing in timberframe design Commercial & Residential
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We are proud to support the Omak Stampede and the new arena! 749 2nd Ave. S. • PO Box 401, Okanogan, WA 98840 Phone 509-422-2688 Cell: 509-322-5701 • Fax 509-826-1184 Email: danj@timberquest • www.timberquest.com
Dan (DJ) Shiflett, Designer
Southern Bleacher Co., Ellensburg, to discuss the possibility of building a concrete, aluminum and steel structure. December 2007 The city council contracts for a report on the arena, as required by the state. Arrow Rock Architects, Boise, Idaho, will provide photographs of the current structure, architectural and historical reports, and sketch drawings of the arena. February 2008 A structural engineer hired by the city to inspect the Omak Stampede Arena grandstands has given the structure a goahead for the 75th anniversary of the Omak Stampede. Some reinforcements and other work are needed. The city gets an estimate of $3.4 million to replace the arena with a metal bleacher system. (Continued on next page)
Chronicle photo
The Stampede grounds from the air, in the late 1950s or early 1960s.
Arena serves Stampede long and well Compiled by Dee Camp Chronicle staff 1933 The first Omak Stampede is held on the Omak High School football field. 1935 Stampede moves to the newly constructed Omak Stampede Arena in East Side Park. The primitive bleachers, built with volunteer help and lumber do-
nated by Biles-Coleman Lumber Co., seat about 750 people. 1930s-1940s The Omak Active Club takes over Stampede under an agreement that calls for all profits not required by the Stampede to be used for East Side Park improvements. Expansion of the arena continues. Late 1940s The Omak Active Club build-
ing committee, headed by Jerry Bramer, continues to improve the arena with covered grandstands that seat about 1,500. Bleachers provide seating for about 3,500 fans, with the announcer’s stand built above the chutes. Stock is held in eight pens behind the chutes. 1947-48 Stands are enlarged to offer seating for 4,000 under cover.
1948 The Aug. 17, 1948, show, part of the 15th annual Omak Stampede, draws the largest crowd to date. All records are broken as more than 7,000 people jam into the stands. 1949 Lights are added to the arena, enabling night shows to be held. 1950 Arena serves a short winter-
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time stint as an ice skating rink. 1954 New stands costing $16,000 are added and painted, boosting the seating capacity to 8,000. New press box seats are added above the chutes. A turn-away crowd shows up for the Sunday show, setting a new record. 1972 Arena is damaged during the Okanogan River flood. (Continued on next page)
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Page 2
July 22, 2009
SUPPLEMENT TO THE CHRONICLE
SUPPLEMENT TO THE CHRONICLE
July 22, 2009
Page 7
Chronicle photo by Al Camp
Omak Stampede board president George Dunckel pauses in the new arena.
Chronicle photo by Sheila Corson Chronicle photo by Sheila Corson
OMAK — A sneak peek event for the new Omak Stampede Arena will be July 25, with tours starting at 4:30 p.m. Stampede and city officials will take tour groups through the new facilities, Mayor Cindy Gagne said. Music will be performed from 7-10 p.m. Pop and water will be sold, courtesy of Pepsi, with all proceeds going to Omak Rodeo and Native American Center. The team is hoping to get a permit to serve beer in the beer gardens that evening, too, Gagne said. Proceeds would go to ORNAC. Rocky’s Burger Wagon will
be on site for food purchases from 5:30-8 p.m. Burgers and hot dogs, drinks, popsicles, potato salad and chips will be available. The Company Store — Stampede’s souvenir stand — will sell Stampede memorabilia and Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign fund-raiser items, such as shirts. Carnival armbands, Stampede Charm Trail items and rodeo tickets also will be available. An official ribbon cutting ceremony will follow the Omak Chamber of Commerce-Omak Stampede luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, near the Stampede office. KFC will cater at $6 per person.
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Photo by Chad Short
March 2009: Construction, from the top of the chute seats.
September 2008: Boards are removed from seats.
City offers a sneak peek of new arena
By Sheila Corson Chronicle staff
October 2008: Only the arena fence remains.
Chronicle photo
September 2008: South bleachers are stripped of seats.
Chronicle photos by Sheila Corson
Construction nears completion in June. The view (above) includes the Suicide Hill. The chute seats (below, center right) are dwarfed by the new structure.
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(Continued from previous page) May 2008 The city council decides to tear down the arena after the 2008 rodeo and replace it with a new aluminum seating structure. That means scrapping more than three years of arena planning work that cost nearly $500,000. Only the chute seats (Maley bleachers) would remain. June 2008 Final plans for the new Omak Stampede Arena are nearing completion, but the city still needs about $1 million to complete the project in addition to $4 million received from the state Legislature. July 2008 A fund-raising committee is formed to raise about $500,000
Photo by Chad Short
Chronicle photo
January 2009: Amid flying snow, supports are unloaded.
needed to complete the arena project. Naming rights, seat plaques and inscribed bricks are planned. Bids for the arena come in under estimates. Garco Construction, Spokane, submits the low basic bid of $3,085,000, including demolition of the wooden south bleacher section and replacement with new aluminum structures that will include 5,541 seats. Garco submitts a bid of $1,295,000 for alternative I - construction of 1,600 covered aluminum bleacher seats on the north side of the arena. August 2008 Folks who have a favorite seat in the Omak Stampede Arena can purchase it for $10.
The sales are a fund-raiser for the new arena. With no discussion or comment, the Omak City Council approves the low bid for the Omak Stampede Arena replacement project Aug. 18. The approval includes both the north and south grandstands at a total cost of $4,380,000. Garco Construction, Spokane, is the low bidder. September 2008 Omak City Council approves a shoreline height variance for the north grandstands of the new arena. Restrictions in the city’s shoreline master program call for no structures taller than 35 feet within the shoreline jurisdiction. The north grandstands are expected to be about
March 2009: New arena begins to take shape.
46 feet tall. October 2008 As much as 90 percent of the wood from the Omak Stampede arena will be recycled. Much of the reclaimed wood is Douglas fir and tamarack. November 2008 The Economic Alliance board recommends approval for the city to receive $40,000 from the county’s emerging opportunities .09 fund in 2009 for the arena project. Another $700,000 will come from a local option capital asset loan, to be repaid by the county .09 fund, hotelmotel taxes and an admission tax. December 2008 Former Suicide Racer Bink Picard fashions some former
arena seats into booths for his Canvas Cowboys Gallery, Gear and Grill in Omak. March 2009 The discovery of an ancient fire pit under the north bleachers of the Omak Stampede Arena causes a short delay in construction. Archeologists from Plateau Archaeological Services, Pullman, catalogue and secure artifacts for storage under authority of the Colville Confederated Tribes. July 2009 The Omak Stampede Arena is finished, with more than 7,700 seats. Only the chute seats remain from the old arena. Stampede volunteers work to build concession booths and beer gardens.
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Page 8
SUPPLEMENT TO THE CHRONICLE
July 22, 2009
Omak gets a new
Chronicle photo by Dee Camp
Chronicle photo
April 2009: The new arena, from Suicide Hill.
May 2009: Arena looms over the park.
Chronicle photo by Sheila Corson
June 2009: North stands are nearly done.
Chronicle photo by Sheila Corson
Stampede Arena
June 2009: Retaining wall rider remains.
Chronicle photo by Al Camp
July 2009: New lighting brightens the arena. The chute seats, which once rose above most areas of the arena, now seem smaller.
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The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle, July 22, 2009