SAN ANGELO, Texas — The San Angelo Rodeo is one of the highest paying rodeos in the country for contestants and the city receives a major economic boost from the event each year.
San Angelo's Chamber of Commerce estimates that this year's stock show & rodeo will bring a combined $80 million to the city.
"We not only benefit from a business standpoint, but also our travel and tourism numbers go way up," Chamber CEO Walt Koenig said. "Because a lot of folks come from out of town, stay in our hotels (and) enjoy our restaurants, so we’re really enjoying those numbers a lot.”
David Robertson, who owns the Pearl on the Concho, said his hotel saw the most foot traffic during the first weekend of the rodeo. He said he is familiar with the people who come in and out of his establishment during rodeo season and looks forward to interacting with the same groups each year.
Robertson said the city would benefit economically - before, during and after the rodeo - from a major renovation to the Foster Communications Coliseum, which opened in 1958.
"San Angelo has grown," Robertson said. "That thing's been out there forever. As a matter of fact, my dad helped build that thing out there... I believe if they would (upgrade the facility), you would see a lot more things coming to town that people really want to see.”
Robertson said he believes San Angelo could compete for concerts and other types of live performances with an upgrade to the coliseum. According to the City of San Angelo, the facility can currently hold up to 7,000 people.