PRCA may trade Colorado Springs for Cheyenne’s cowboy climate

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association may be moving to a new home.

In a news release posted on ProRodeo.com on Jan. 26, the PRCA announced that its board of directors has “approved a non-binding memorandum of understanding to seriously consider relocating the organization’s headquarters, along with the PRCA Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy, to Wyoming.”

According to the release, Cheyenne, Wyo.’s LEADS (the economic development organization for the city of Cheyenne and Laramie County) board of directors voted to commit $15 million from its reserves as matching funds for the project. “Cheyenne offered to build a Hall of Fame and an administrative building to host the PRCA national headquarters,” the release continued.

If the deal goes through, the proposed site would be 35 acres, located near the “highly visible” intersection of Interstates 80 and 25, and is envisioned as “the anchor of a new western-themed entertainment, cultural and shopping district.”

“This is a 50-year opportunity to look at having land and an area to grow beyond the footprint we’re currently in, which is impossible in Colorado Springs,” said Paul Woody, Chief Marketing Officer of the PRCA.

The state of the current office building, which has housed the PRCA offices since 1979, and Hall of Fame, warrant a move, but it goes beyond that, Woody said.

“With the upkeep and needs of the current building we’re in, it’s a great opportunity to foster relationships in a community that’s probably more welcoming to the cowboy way, and do it with a new coat of paint. We’re making a decision on leaving not only because the building needs a new coat of paint, but because we will be in an amazing spot for at least the next 50 years,” he said.

The $15 million in matching funds from LEADS will be matched by state funds, Woody said. Other partners, such as private and corporate funding will also help pay for the potential move.

OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES

PRCA board member Troy Pruitt, Gering, Neb., said the PRCA didn’t have intentions to move, but Cheyenne LEADS came to them and laid it all out on “what they can do for us,” he said. Other locations, including Cody, Wyo., also conversed with the board, along with a conversation with leadership in Colorado Springs. None of the other possibilities included as much financial and other assistance as the Cheyenne proposal.

The decision won’t be made until April when the board votes, he noted, saying that the memorandum shows that both parties are interested but there are details to work out, and the non-binding part means that either party can bail out if they choose.

This decision was not made hastily; the board has done its due diligence, he said. The Cheyenne group approached the PRCA nearly a year ago, and discussion has been held numerous times since then. Pruitt was also part of an ad hoc committee that visited the Cheyenne site several months ago.

The potential move to Cheyenne would be advantageous for several reasons, Pruitt believes. The Hall of Fame in the Springs is in a low-traffic area that isn’t frequented by tourists. A high visibility spot, like the intersection of two major interstates, will increase foot traffic for the Hall of Fame. And both buildings are in need of renovation and upkeep work.

Wyoming and Cheyenne have a more friendly business climate and no state income tax as well.

Tom Glause, CEO of the PRCA, said in the release that Cheyenne and the state of Wyoming are a good match for the PRCA

“Wyoming lives and breathes rodeo, and Cheyenne offers authenticity, visibility and alignment with our sport’s values.”

COWBOY STATE

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon is also pleased with the board’s vote, according to the release.

“Rodeo has been a part of Wyoming since before we were a state,” he said. “There is no better place on Earth than right here in the Cowboy State for the PRCA to be headquartered. We have the legacy, respect the tradition, and will always honor the cowboy way and the Code of the West.”

Pruitt added that the memorandum of understanding is not final; the PRCA board will vote in April.

But in his opinion, the move to Cheyenne is a “no-brainer.

“I think it’s a great opportunity.