Holt Arena faces canceled rodeo, uncertainty with high school football

Holt Arena could have some vacancies and some uncertainty for some popular events in the future.

The Pocatello Rodeo has been canceled for next April, and high school football is looking at different options to save money.

After years of low ticket sales and lost profits, the Pocatello Frontier Rodeo Association decided it can’t continue putting on something that just keeps losing money.

“You have to start asking yourself, ‘Is this something important enough for our community that we keep it going?’ And apparently the community said ‘No it isn’t right now,” Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad said.

That decision will also mean some lost revenue for Idaho State University’s Holt Arena.

ISU event director George Casper said it means a whole lot to businesses throughout the Gate City.

“The entire community from an economic standpoint. As far as bringing people into the community where they spend money in the hotels and at restaurants. It’s very important for our town,” Casper said.

It doesn’t mean the rodeo’s gone for good, jst that it won’t happen in April 2013.

The rodeo association said it is dedicated to figuring out some rodeo that will work in Pocatello.

At this same time, Pocatello’s schools have been facing budget challenges.

The costs of renting out Holt Arena for football games, means often the schools are taking home just a small fraction of ticket sales or even losing money on games.

And the district said when football isn’t bringing in much money it makes it tough on every sport.

“It’s not that we don’t enjoy the facility. It’s simply a matter of economics. Can we afford to continue to play there?” District 25 Director of Secondary Education and Athletics Bob Devine said.