LCRA awards $20,000 grant for new lighting at Harvey and Jane Mueller Rodeo Arena in Cuero

New energy-efficient lights at rodeo arena in City Park will provide
better lighting for evening events, require less maintenance

Nov. 1, 2022

The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $7,000 in matching funds from the city, will help pay for installing new poles, fixtures and LED lights at the rodeo arena to reduce energy use and provide better lighting for evening events at the facility.

The rodeo arena serves communities throughout DeWitt County and hosts numerous youth events, including 4-H horse project practices, the Cuero Livestock Show horse show, Cuero Playday Association playdays and youth bull-riding events. The facility also hosts a Deputy Santa bull-riding fundraiser, barrel racing events, team roping events, calf roping events, the annual Lester Meier Rodeo and a variety of other horse events on a regular basis.

“So many different groups use the arena – there are more than 25 recurring annual events that attract a total of about 10,000 visitors,” said Rhonda Stastny, assistant to the director of Utilities for Cuero. “The high-pressure sodium floodlights we currently have there don’t provide adequate lighting for events that take place in the late evening. Those floodlights also can burn out pretty quickly, and they are becoming obsolete and more difficult to find.”

The new energy-efficient LED lighting also will help reduce the amount of time city electric crews spend bringing bucket trucks to the arena to replace lightbulbs, Stastny said.

“Replacing burned out floodlights at the rodeo arena takes time and scheduling with our electric crews because their bucket trucks really provide the only way to safely change lights that high,” Stastny said. “The new LED lights have a warranty of 10-plus years, so the amount of staff time needed to maintain the lighting will be significantly reduced.”

City of Cuero staff members already have noticed substantial energy cost savings from the LED streetlights they installed.

“We know there will be energy savings based on how the LED streetlights are working, so we are looking forward to the additional energy savings, reduced maintenance and better quality of lighting at the arena that these new LED lights will bring,” Stastny said. “At the end of the day, it’s really important that we are improving experiences for people in our community – from event participants to visitors, residents and city employees. We want this facility to be known as a special place to come and enjoy activities for all ages.”

The community grant is one of 46 grants awarded recently through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program, which helps volunteer fire departments, local governments, emergency responders and nonprofit organizations fund capital improvement projects in LCRA’s wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas. The program is part of LCRA’s effort to give back to the communities it serves. The City of Cuero is one of LCRA’s wholesale electric customers and is a partner in the grant program.

Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in January. More information is available at lcra.org/cdpp.

About LCRA
The Lower Colorado River Authority serves customers and communities throughout Texas by managing the lower Colorado River; generating and transmitting electric power; providing a clean, reliable water supply; and offering outdoor adventures at more than 40 parks along the Colorado River from the Texas Hill Country to the Gulf Coast. LCRA and its employees are committed to fulfilling our mission to enhance the quality of life of the Texans we serve through water stewardship, energy and community service. LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934 and receives no state appropriations. For more information, visit lcra.org.

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