(October 27, 2009)

SINTON--Agriculture experts in San Patricio County said it's a case of diminshing dirt and they said it's not good for show animals at the county fairgrounds. Now, 18 months after it went down, the county will have to pay more than $30,000 for new dirt.

The fairgrounds is nearly at a break even stage in San Patricio County, but the issue with the dirt is a cause for concern for the animals performing there.

The Rodeo Arena Building at the San Patricio County Fairgrounds is booked for the next six months. Because it's so busy, some of the soil has eroded, making it dangerous for horses and bulls.

In fact, some have fallen during performances, but the county plans to spend between $30 and $40,000 to add new soil and fix the problem.

"Because if we can't continue to bring in the revenue, we don't want to become like some other other locations that had 1st class arenas, but didn't maintain them and they begin to lose their users," said San Patricio County Judge Terry Simpson. "Once you lose your users, it's hard to get them back."

Some county leaders have been critical of having to spend that much money on the new surface. They hope it won't happen every Two years, but the judge said it has to be done to keep the arena busy and help tourism in the area.

At first, the plan is add sand to the dirt to make it deeper. Then a consultant will come up with a recommendation so the arena will have right soil.

--Manuel De La Rosa, Area 3 News, mdelarosa@kiiitv.com