For the first time in three years, the Missouri Valley Fairgrounds hosted a North Dakota high school rodeo, with more than 175 contestants participating from all over the state.

Just over a month ago, there was some doubt if the fairgrounds arena would be ready for the High School Rodeo Association-sanctioned event, one of 13 held across the state. But a group of volunteers, with the help of the Burleigh County park board, were able to pull the arena together in time for Saturday's event.

Jerry Doan, chairman of the 4-H building committee and 4-H youth rodeo committee, has been one of the central figures in getting the arena up to the standards of the High School Rodeo Association. On Saturday, he was all smiles watching the various competitions and knowing the arena is in tip-top shape.

"It took many, many hours and a lot of volunteers to get here," Doan said. "And we couldn't have done it without the county's help and funds."

Lee Thomas, a member of the Central Dakota High School Rodeo Association, said he and the rest of the board are impressed with the improvements made to the arena, which included new panels, a stripping chute, new stairs to the announcers' box and water service.

"Having the water is really important, considering all the kids we have out here, along with all of the animals. It's really hard to put on a rodeo without it," Thomas said. "I'm from Mandan, where we have a really good facility, and now so does Bismarck, and that's good for everyone."

Teresa Jorgenson, secretary of the state High School Rodeo Association, said Bismarck now has a very nice arena, but it still is lacking some seating.

Doan said the county had acquired bleachers from the Bismarck park district's VFW Sports Center and plans are to put in a cement slab to put them on. Hopes were to have them up by Saturday, but they just ran out of time. Future plans also call for a permanent concessions and public rest room facility.

Stanton's Dean and Francis Kessler, who were on hand to watch their daughter Kayla compete, said the arena was 100 percent better than last time they visited.

"It's a nice facility. Last time we were here, everybody was complaining, but I've only heard good things today. It does need a few more bleachers, though," Francis Kessler said.

Ethan Rodne, a team roper from Medora, was also impressed with the facility, saying it was nice and clean and the panels that keep the animals in looked good.

"This arena is right up there with all the rest of them," Rodne said.

There is still some discussion on the permanent location of the arena. Currently, the west side is under some power lines and plans are to move it slightly to the east. Once that's done, the arena should be good to go, Doan said. He hopes to have a number of events take place at the arena through the summer and fall.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com.)