Monitor Photo/Carla Gray
Trinity Valley Electric Cooperative (TVEC) gives what the electric company calls a generous donation toward the renovations of the Alene and Andrew Gibbs Memorial Arena in Mabank Jan. 15. TVEC CEO Jeff Lane (from left), Mabank Mayor Randy Teague and TVEC Director of Corporate Relations Bobbi Byford stand in the new VIP section of the arena.

MABANK–The Alene and Andrew Gibbs Memorial Arena in Mabank is getting a facelift. The Monitor reported in the Nov. 24 edition that the City of Mabank’s My Mabank application announced the renovations.
My Mabank stated, “The Alene and Andrew Gibbs Memorial Arena in Mabank is getting improvements that will change the entire way we enjoy the Rodeo Arena.” Metal storage containers will support the VIP seating area for sponsors, as well as house the concessions and merchandise store.
Jan. 15, Trinity Valley Electric Cooperative (TVEC) CEO Jeff Lane and Director of Corporate Relations Bobbi Byford awarded the City of Mabank with what Lane called a generous donation toward the renovations. Mayor Randy Teague thanked TVEC and gave a guided tour of the VIP section, which is still under construction. Teague described to visitors how the VIP section is set up. The covered section will have an area for tables to hold chafing stations for food and drinks, so VIP members can sit and visit while watching the rodeo, according to the Mayor. Teague commented, “Ultimately this will not cost the taxpayers a red penny when it is complete.”
Teague stated that ”the city is taking on a bigger role for Western Week. We are planning on some bigger-named groups for our street dance. The Queens Dinner will be moved to a different location. Those that donate at the VIP level will have invitations to all the events as well as VIP parking, custom embroidered shirts and trophy buckles. Between the VIP section donations and the grant from TVEC the rodeo grounds will have approximately $150,000. Any other income will be above and beyond that amount, which will give us an opportunity to start more and more improvements on the rodeo arena.” 
Future plans for the arena are to use it year-round, the Mayor said. Teague stated, “The future improvements could cause people to be drawn to the area that are going to spend dollars in Mabank, which would increase our tax base which will help us put in better roads, better police presence and better water. All of it feeds off the improvements of the arena.” 
Lane stated, “We are happy to be a part of this, to support the city and the community.”