The Bilbrey Family Event Center, a new multi-species arena on the Kansas State University campus, was officially opened on October 10 as part of K-State’s $210 million Agriculture Innovation Initiative. The facility features a 130-by-250-foot arena with seating for 3,000, stock pens, wash areas, and a VIP viewing area, designed to support teaching, youth activities, Extension programs, and collegiate rodeo events. It aims to enhance animal science education by providing hands-on learning opportunities and hosting approximately 40 annual events, including rodeos, livestock shows, and youth competitions like 4-H and FFA.

University leaders emphasize the center’s role in connecting students, industry stakeholders, and the broader agricultural community, fostering recruitment and career development in agriculture. The facility, funded by donors including JP and Teresa Bilbrey, offers climate-controlled practice space crucial for the K-State rodeo team and serves as a hub for regional and national livestock industries. It represents a significant investment in K-State’s land-grant mission to serve Kansas and beyond by creating a premier venue for education, competition, and community engagement in animal sciences.