Rice County Arena Addition

The Rice County Community Foundation, Inc. will use a KAN STEP Grant for Arena Addition

The Rice County Community Foundation, Inc. in Lyons, KS will use volunteer labor from the community valued at $183,184 and $262,700 in KAN STEP funding from the Kansas Department of Commerce (Commerce) to complete an addition to the sportsman's arena valued at $445,884.

The existing arena is used to house horse shows, rodeos and fair activities. The 6800 sq. ft. addition will allow for meeting rooms, rest rooms and concessions. The lack of these facilities has hampered the Arena from hosting larger events such as professional bull riding venues. The volunteers have demonstrated their abilities by building the main convention hall adjacent to the Arena.

Project representatives are RCCF Executive Director Jill Nichols, RCCF President Craig Zwick, Scott Ludwig and Jack Janssen. Grant administration will be provided by John Sweet, Lyons City Administrator. Dan Hall B G Consultants, Inc. Manhattan, KS is the architect for the project. Kansas Rural Water Association will provide inspection services and technical assistance.

KAN STEP is a self-help program that enables small communities to make major infrastructure improvements. Local people volunteer labor and services or "sweat equity," while the Kansas Department of Commerce provides funding for materials and technical services. An acronym for Kansas Small Towns Environment Program, KAN STEP gives small Kansas communities an opportunity to do projects they couldn't otherwise afford. The funding is provided through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.