Finding common ground

One way to hang onto the old is to embrace the new and share space with it.

That's the attitude of Winston "Stony" Tennant, head of the Dayton Valley Events Center board.

The events center used to be known as the Dayton Rodeo Grounds. The property, owned by the Bureau of Land Management but managed by the county, consists of 80 acres off of Schaad Lane in Dayton. It has an arena, pens for holding calves and steers during roping events and chutes for bulls or broncs.

Tennant wants to update the facility to include pavilions, restrooms, concession stands, more bleachers and camping areas with RV hookups, so that the property can be used for more than rodeos. He's hoping to obtain 600 more acres from the BLM that is adjacent to the events center.

"We want to make this for get-down-and-get-in-the-dirt recreation for motorized and equestrian," he said. That's why we need the 600 acres, because those two don't go together."

Tennant, a longtime Dayton resident, said he used to ride in jackpot rodeos, for which ranch hands chipped in $10 and the winner of the rodeo got the pot. He laments the loss of the ranching culture.

"People come here, and they don't want to join our culture," he said. "When growth was slow, people came to join the culture. But now they only want cheap houses."

But if you can't beat 'em, join 'em, he said.

"I'm a horse person," he said. "I don't like ATVs. But I recognize that there is a need there. The kids don't have anyplace to ride their ATVs."

Tennant said he didn't want a racetrack for motorized racing, as there are ones in Mound House and Fernley. "We don't want to compete with a commercial business."

The county has applied for a $75,000 grant form the Federal Lands and Water Conservation Funds for new restrooms and a concession stand. County funds will be used as a match for the grant, paying for a pavilion suitable for concerts and gatherings.

Tennant wants to add additional parking, camping spaces with RV hookups and a new road on the ridge to access areas for ATVs and horses.

"In the equestrian area, we want areas with hookups designed for horse people," he said. "They bring panels. They want to put horses out there and have regular RV hookups. Then they can go, set up, and ride for two weeks."

Tennant said the board's master plan also includes an amphitheater.

Mexican rodeos are the most common activity at the events center, but it is also used for camping and horseback riding. Tennant said more people would use the grounds if they were aware of it, adding that there is no charge to use the facility during the week.

"We want to stay as community-involved and as community-minded as possible," he said. "We want it to be like the old days, where every town had a campground. But the main thing is community awareness. We need to let people know we're here."

Tennant has been involved with the events center since 1977, when 80 acres were obtained from the BLM for a 4-H camp, with the restriction that it only be used for recreation. The county took over the facility four years ago, giving the board an annual budget of $25,000.

With increased activities, Tennant hopes the events center will one day be a self-supporting entity.

But the old-timers in Dayton wanted a rodeo grounds, and since that fit in with the BLM requirements, the arena was built. Tennant said much of the fencing was donated and installed by volunteers.

He said the board has focused primarily on master planning for the events center, leaving maintenance and operations to the county.

"We want long-term planning," he said. "We want this available for people 50 to 100 years from now."

• Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111 ext. 351.

Upcoming events

• Aug. 26-27 - Junior rodeo

• Sept. 9 - 4-H Clinic

• Sept. 16 - Mexican rodeo

• Oct. 7 - Mexican rodeo

For information, call 246-6227

Rent the center

Costs:

• $200 for first six hours

• $60 each additional hour

• $50 per day for the water truck

• $50 per day to drag the arena with a tractor

• $300 refundable deposit