Western York County Agriculture Arena

This is a collaborative project between York School District One (YSD1), Clover School District (CSD), and York County 4H. The Ag Steering Committee was formed to direct this project. Agriculture Education has grown in York County over the last few years. The proposed arena is estimated to touch over 4500 students in York County. Without a local arena, students who participate in National FFA Organization and 4H livestock shows and competitions must often travel over 100 miles to compete. An agriculture arena located in our county would alleviate the need for students and their animals to travel long distances for shows and competitions. It would provide students with a “home court” to showcase their talents.

While there have been multiple attempts to bring an arena to York County in the past, those projects did not materialize.  The Steering Committee is working in collaboration with York County Administration to make this dream a reality. With funding from the Department of Agriculture and the South Carolina Department of Education, the local school districts, along with 4H this collaborative effort will soon come to fruition.

The Ag Steering Committee is a committee that was formed to oversee and guide the process of conceptualizing, designing, and ultimately constructing an ag arena. The committee comprises representatives of York School District One, Clover School District, York County 4H, York School District One Education Foundation, Clover LEAF Foundation, and various community members with agricultural expertise.

Carrie Bolin, Shannon Clinton, Tim Cooper, Kelly Coxe, Latoya Dixon, Kyle Eller, Meg Ferguson, Amy Hagner, Dickie Harper, Mark Hopkins, Stephanie Knott, Jessica Koon, Kristin Kunde, Mark McCarter, Sheila Quinn, Chris Revels, Rod Ruth, Adam Shumate, Tony Smith, Lisa Spangler, Charlie Westbrook, and Beth White. 

York School District owns approximately 97 acres of land across from Hickory Grove Sharon Elementary.  The land was purchased by the district in 1997.  The YSD1 Board of Trustees has committed to allowing a portion of this land to be used for the arena project. The YSD1 Board of Trustees Resolution supporting this project can be accessed in YSD Board Docs. 

The arena will take up approximately five acres which leaves sufficient land for future development, including schools, if necessary.

There is not sufficient land available for an agriculture arena on the York Comprehensive High School (YCHS) or the Clover High School (CHS) campus.

Both the land and the facility will be property of York School District One.

The long-term goal is for the facility to be self-sustaining. A Memorandum of Understanding will be set up between the partners to detail the final agreement's terms.

As part of a building project, a Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) must be completed. Results will be shared when available.

UPDATE 12/2024: Both the South Carolina Department of Transportation and York County Government have determined that a Traffic Impact Analysis is not required, as this project will not negatively impact the day-to-day operations of Hickory Grove Road.

Hickory Grove water will be used at this facility.

This conceptual design comes from feedback and input received from the Ag Steering Committee, York County 4H, and FFA students.  A student meeting was held in October 2023 to gather student input on the essential elements of an ag arena, based on their personal experiences.  The Ag Steering Committee has been meeting monthly since September 2023 to provide input into the design and needed elements of an arena.  The Ag Steering Committee continues to seek feedback from community members and students to ensure an arena everyone can be proud of is constructed.  

The proposed design includes two pre-engineered metal buildings, positioned perpendicular to one another. The first building, which includes the 100 x 200 arena, has bleachers on one side to accommodate 1500 people.  The entire arena is covered, including the bleachers and an overhang on both ends. It is approximately 45,000 square feet.  The second pre-engineered metal building is approximately 7,000 square feet, and includes meeting space, restrooms, and concessions.

The initial plans for the proposed facility include meeting space (3000 square feet). This space would allow for an assembly area for 4H and FFA. It would also provide a space for community members and associations, such as the Cattleman’s Association, to meet. The kitchen space, which is equipped with kitchen appliances in the initial proposal, would be beneficial for group functions. The space will also be available for community rental through York School District’s facility rental policy. 

The current design plans are not finalized.  Input from the community and steering committee will continue to be collected and used to adjust the design as needed and to ensure affordability.  Depending on detailed cost estimates, and community input, the project could be completed in phases.

To date, $500,000 has been received from the South Carolina Department of Agriculture and $750,000 from the South Carolina Department of Education for a total of $1.2 million. The Agriculture Arena Steering Committee has established a fundraising subcommittee to work with the York School District One Education Foundation and Clover LEAF Foundation.  The two Educational Foundations are initiating plans for a potential joint fundraising event in May 2024.   Additional fundraising efforts were undertaken through partnerships with the York Rotary Club’s annual Beach Bash on April 20th, and hot dog preparation for York Electric Cooperative, Inc. members attending the annual meeting on Friday, May 3, 2024. In December 2024 the District received $3 million in funding allocations in the 2024-2025 Appropriations Bill by the South Carolina Legislature.

The partners involved in the project are discussing and exploring ongoing maintenance costs. Hosting events such as high school rodeo competitions could potentially pay for the costs of ongoing operations of the arena.  (For example, Crescent Arena, in Anderson School District 3, reports an annual operating cost of $10,000 per year, which is generated through their rodeo event program.) Additional input from the community about the use of the facility that could potentially generate revenue to support the ongoing operations includes using it for large equipment sales, community meetings and events, etc.

The primary use of the facility will be for York County 4H students and students among the four York County School Districts who participate in National FFA Organization (FFA). Use for 4H and FFA will be free of charge. Additional use of the facility will be outlined by the York School District Board of Trustees Policy KF Community Use of School Facilities and AR-KF-R Community Use of School Facilities. The policy and administrative rule will include information about guidelines, procedures, charges, and proper treatment of district-owned facilities approved for community use.

York County 4H anticipates using the arena at least 8 times a month.  Additionally, FFA students from across York County will use the arena.  YSD1 will also open the arena up for community use. Upon completion, we anticipate additional requests for use will be received.  

There are no plans to house animals overnight at this time.