Agri-Park to be ‘carbon copy’ of use before shutdown

In announcing the partnership to re-open Sheridan College’s Agri-Park earlier this week, Billy Craft, who’s president of the Sheridan WYO Rodeo board, said he expects the facility to operate as a carbon copy of what it was before the shutdown last year.

That operation will include rentals for individuals, small groups and events when the facility isn’t being used by Sheridan College’s rodeo teams.

Zane Garstad, vice president of the rodeo board and manager of the Agri-Park until the shutdown, said the majority of rentals during the six years of operation were to individuals.

Events also included cutting horse competitions. Garstad said there were a number of activities open to the public. He said the college had a great experience with all of those who used the facility.

A combined statewide budget crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic led to closure of the Agri-Park to the public on July 1 last year, although the facility has continued to be used by the Sheridan College rodeo teams for practice.

The Agri-Park will open under a partnership between Sheridan College and the Sheridan WYO Rodeo board. Located north of Sheridan, the facility is located on 40 acres donated by local artist and philanthropist Neltje.

According to a news release from Sheridan College, more information on rental of the facility will be made available within the next week at www.sheridan.edu/agripark.