Rodeo Arena

Heritage Park constructed this arena in 1984 to illustrate a sport that developed out of the daily activities of cowboys and has since grown into one of Southern Alberta’s most popular spectator sports.

While ranch owners in the early days of the West preferred the gentlemanly pursuits of cricket, tennis, polo and dancing, their ranch hands entertained themselves by informally competing to see who was the most skilled cowboy. They challenged each other to see who could rope a calf the fastest, who could ride an unbroken horse to a standstill and who was the fastest rider. The arena is now used to host rodeos presented during private functions and the occasional gymkhana event held on various weekends throughout the summer. Heritage Park’s rodeo arena has eight sets of portable stands, a large rodeo infield and six chutes, complete with pens and corrals.