Bastrop to purchase shade covers for Mayfest Park Rodeo Arena

Some background

Although the city of Bastrop initially sought a shade cover that would cover the entirety of the Mayfest Park Rodeo Arena, a feasibility study, which Freeland Turk Engineering conducted, determined an estimated cost of approximately $8.4 million.

Freeland Turk also provided an estimated cost of $4.2 million for a shade cover that would only cover the seating areas.

Both estimates factored in other improvements to the Mayfest Park Rodeo Arena, including:

• A new announcer’s booth
• Additional bleachers
• Enhanced lighting
• Sidewalk reconstruction
• Electrical upgrades

What we know

The city of Bastrop is still planning seating improvements at the Mayfest Park Rodeo Arena, estimated to cost $130,000-$150,000, that would be paid for with Bastrop Economic Development funds, according to city documents.

Carrillo-Trevino told Bastrop City Council that she would like the shade covers, seating improvements and associated concrete work to be completed in time for the 2026 Bastrop Homecoming & Rodeo, which will be held July 28-Aug. 1.

Notable quote

“We have to start somewhere,” Bastrop Mayor Ishmael Harris said during the meeting. “This shade cover gets us going to where we can have more events.”