[June 10, 2011] Push is on to secure for Pro Rodeo 2011 Finals Tweet DUNCAN, Jun 10, 2011 (The Duncan Banner - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Area rodeo industry leaders hope to reach a $40,000 or more financial commitment goal within the next week. If they are successful, it would mean the appearance of the Pro Rodeo Cowboy's Association (PRCA) Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo this fall, said Joe Henderson. Henderson, a long leader in the local rodeo efforts, is at the top of those leaders working to secure the tri-state finals. Henderson, along with Mike Anderson, director of the Stephens County Fair & Expo Center, and others, met a week ago with representatives from the rodeo in hopes of securing a contract with the PRCA sanctioned event. PRCA board member and contract representative Melissa Navarre was at that meeting and Henderson has been in constant contact with her. "An extension has been granted," Henderson said Thursday. "As of today, we have gotten a short extension from the Prairie Circuit committee." The Prairie Circuit covers Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. Henderson said putting on the rodeo is an costly investment. But it's one he is definite will bring big rewards to not only Duncan, but every community in Stephens County. He even expects it to benefit neighboring counties like Jefferson County. "We are about roughly $40,000 shy of the needed commitment to actually sign a contract. They want to come to Duncan though," he said. "We talked to them today (Thursday) and they have given us a little bit of wiggle room." Henderson said area backers of the proposed rodeo only want it this year if they can generate the funds over the next week which will allow them to "put on a class act." "It's between a $120,000 and $150,000 budget rodeo," he said. That means, local rodeo officials want somewhere between $80,000 and $100,000 to make sure it is a top notch event. "We have to know we have enough money to cover the costs. We have approximately $22,000 in commitment. We've even had people who have never backed anything before saying they will step up and get behind this." That excites Henderson. "We have to get this quickly. By Wednesday of next week, then we can sign a contract." Henderson said the Prairie Circuit committee is also definite, in fact, so much so, they have agreed to have the rodeo in the first weekend of November. That's a later date than originally planned for, Henderson said. It means giving Duncan and the area time to plan and prepare. "We have a predetermined group of people who will take responsibility in this," he said. Henderson knows it's a big challenge, and while he and others would like to secure the 2011 contract, he's prepared to wait should the funding sources not come through over the next few days. "If we don't get this this year, we are at the top of the list for 2012. But we would like to do this and do it right this year! Mike Anderson and I agreed we will do this as a class act, or not do it. If we can just get the commitments, We know we can do it," he said. "The dollar amount has to be there so we can make it work." Henderson said he's only spoke with about 30 or so people in the past week, but they all have been super positive. "I trust this community. By community, I mean, this area, the City of Duncan, the county, out in Velma, even folks from Jefferson County. This encompasses a lot of folks. We've had people who we've never thought would step up have stepped up." To see more of The Duncan Banner, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.duncanbanner.com. Copyright (c) 2011, The Duncan Banner, Okla. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]