Civic Arena hosts annual Missouri Parks and Recreation ‘Maintenance Rodeo’
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Everyone plays a key role within work spaces, and maintenance employees are no exception.
To show their appreciation to workers across the state, the Missouri Parks and Recreation department hosts annual "Maintenance Rodeos" in all four regions of the state to have workers compete and interact with one another in maintenance-themed competitions. Participants put their skills to the test Wednesday at the Civic Arena in the latest competition.
Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Atkins says the rodeos are a way to show support for maintenance workers.
"We hold the competition to show the maintenance side of our departments that we do value them," Atkins said. "We understand a lot of the work they do is unseen. If you're doing a good maintenance job, you're unseen for the most part. It's kind of like a official at a sporting event. If you notice the official, something is going on. It's the same with our maintenance guys, who are unseen heroes, because none of the work we do can happen without them. The rodeo is fun way for all our departments and the association show our support."
The challenges staff members are tasked with during the rodeos range from driving zero-turn radius mowers in obstacle courses, using leaf blowers to push smaller objects through a race circuit and moving objects with fork lifts.
"We try to utilize equipment they use on a normal basis while working," Atkins said. "We've got the zero turn course for mowers and, later on, a trailer hauling contest with pickup trucks. This is just a good way for them show their skills in a safe, fun and competitive atmosphere."
Challenges differ from year to year, along with the location, with the rodeo either being held at the Civic Arena or the Centralia City Recreation Center in Centralia.
The rodeo started in 2018 with departments from Region 1, the northwest quadrant of the state, hosting the competition. Over time, other regions became interested in the idea, leading to a state finals round with the top two teams teams from each region advancing.
While St. Joseph has never qualified for the state finals, the relaxed environment and camaraderie built is invaluable for the department.
"We have never won the entire thing, or in fact qualified to go to the state finals, ever. But the guys do a good job and have fun," Atkins said. "Winning is nice, but it's not about that. Having the day to relax, unwind and meet guys from other departments is huge. They find people who encounter the same day-to-day problems and aren't unique to St. Joseph. Other communities can provide potential solutions or treatments. That part of this event is irreplaceable."
Currently, the rodeo is held for parks and recreation departments in Missouri only, but the prospect of an interstate competition has been discussed with the Kansas City Metro Area Park Directors Association.
The winner of this year's state finals on February 26 in Columbia, Missouri, will be awarded a new electric leaf blower for their respective department.
