Pro rodeo returning to Watertown in August as upgrades planned for Derby Downs

Derby Downs is getting renovated with the promise of an exciting future as work begins to bring pro rodeo back to Watertown.

Mackenzie "Mac" Blais and his wife Kelsey have always had a love for rodeo. When the couple's 7-year-old daughter expressed an interest in barrel racing and breakaway roping, they decided it was time to see what could be done to bring pro rodeo back to their hometown.

Inspired by the success of Clear Lake's Crystal Springs Rodeo, the couple began finding ways to bring the same kind of energy to Derby Downs.

"We wanted to lead this project and get these changes done to Derby Downs. To bring pro rodeo back to Watertown and create the interest for it again," Mac Blais said.

Derby Downs needs work

The last major upgrades to the Watertown rodeo arena were more than 10 years ago, and it is used only a few times a year for the Watertown High School rodeo, 4-H rodeo and a horse show put on by the Watertown Saddle Club. The public also uses the arena for equestrian riding when events are not scheduled.

With such little use, the arena, grounds and clubhouse have not been maintained to the specifications needed to host a pro rodeo that could rival the one at Crystal Springs.

"We need to have enough interest to entice the quality talent. We want our rodeo to compete with Swiftel in Brookings and be able to match Crystal Springs and its $5,800 purse," Blais said.

Rodeo contestants pay an entrance fee, and rodeo sponsors add additional dollars. That creates the purse paid out to the top performers in the rodeo.

To make Derby Downs a desirable place for both the contestants and the audience, Blais has big dreams, starting with the necessary upgrades to the arena. But, he said, there need to be negotiations with other groups that use the grounds and approval would be needed from the city.

"When I presented my plan to the park and rec board, they voted 5-1 in favor of us doing these changes," said Blais. "We're a private entity doing upgrades to city property. The city wants us to sign a contract so that we don't leave this project half-finished and skip town."

Bucking chutes are commonly located in a rodeo arena under the crow's nest. At Derby Downs, the chutes are along the side of the arena. Blais wanted to move the chutes, but to do so would change the arena's setup, something the other user groups were not in favor of.

Working together, Blais said he and the other user groups compromised. The current center alleyway will be removed, the arena will be graded and weeded and Blais will purchase and install new panels. Portable bucking chutes and panels will be brought in for pro rodeo. After the event, the alleyway will be rebuilt with the new panels, and the other user groups will enjoy the resurfaced arena.

The upgrades are expected to cost close to $100,000.

"Once we put it here, it stays here. We cannot touch any of the improvements we have made to the property," Blais said.

Recreational hookups at Derby Downs

To help make Derby Downs an attractive venue for rodeo contestants, Blais will also install eight RV outlets so that those with horse and camping trailers will have electricity and will not have to use generators. The upgrade should benefit other groups using the arena and might inspire further use of the city park, he said.

There are plans for an aesthetic facelift to the clubhouse to make it an attractive place for VIP guests and food vendors.

As a five-year goal, Blais would also like to see a round pen and permanent horse stalls installed for the public to use. He also wishes to see a new crow's nest built, a shower house and restrooms and major renovations to the clubhouse.

"The only way this place sees improvements is if it has a revenue stream," said Blais. "But we want to make going to the rodeo as inexpensive as possible. No different than the cost of going to the movies. We hope to make some money, but we want people that would normally never have an opportunity to go to a rodeo to come and enjoy it. For them to see how easy it is to come out to Derby Downs and enjoy at least one show."

Rodeo inspires youth

Blais and his wife hope that bringing pro rodeo to Watertown will inspire a greater appreciation for the western lifestyle. They hope youth will have a growing interest in rodeo and equestrian activities.

One of the ways he envisions doing this, aside from the rodeo itself, is through using the improvements as an opportunity to host rodeo and riding clinics and camps. That could help foster an interest in rodeo in children.

"Many kids think that if you don't have a horse, you can't rodeo. But there are ways to work through that. You don't need a lot of gear. You just need a way to get to the event," Blais said.

The K-H Rodeo Company is teaming up with Sutton Rodeo to bring the pro rodeo to Watertown on Aug. 5 and 6 at Derby Downs.

For more information on the event, visit the Sutton Rodeo Facebook page or go to watertownrodeo.com.

This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Pro rodeo returns to Watertown, Derby Downs gets upgrades