Construction Cost Estimates Could Exceed San Angelo Coliseum Bond Amount

SAN ANGELO, TX — As the City of San Angelo prepares to select a contractor for the long-awaited CRC Roofers Coliseum renovation, Mayor Tom Thompson has confirmed that any construction costs exceeding the $41.6 million voter-approved bond will be the responsibility of the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Association — not city taxpayers.

When the idea of a bond election for the Coliseum project was first floated in 2021, projected costs were in the range of $24–25 million. A year later, the estimate had already climbed north of $35 million. By the time City Council placed the proposition on the May 2025 ballot, the amount had risen to $41.6 million.

Local rumors now suggest by the time construction begins the final price tag could run $10 million to $15 million over the available bond funds. With inflation factored in, even the 2025 bond-approved amount would likely cost more today. U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation averaged roughly 3–4% per year in recent years (with annual rates of 4.7% in 2021, 8.0% in 2022, 4.1% in 2023, 2.9% in 2024, and approximately 2.6–2.7% in 2025). The 12-month inflation rate stood at 3.8% as of April 2026. Applying that modest inflation alone to the 2025 project would push current costs to at least $44 million. Should the total reach $55 million — as some speculation suggests — the Stock Show and Rodeo Association would face a roughly $10–13 million shortfall.

Mayor Thompson told San Angelo LIVE! the Stock Show and Rodeo Association is contractually required to cover any difference. He also addressed the bond’s structure and what would happen if the project were ever canceled or scaled back.  The City has already been issued the bond, received the $41.6 million, and cannot pay it off early. The terms of the note state the city has to keep the loan for at least 10 years and pay interest for at least 10 years.  

This 10-year call-protection period was built into the bonds when they were sold in July 2025.

Project Moves Forward Despite Cost Concerns

The city is currently in the procurement phase. On May 5, 2026, the Public Works Department released RFP-PW-01-26, seeking a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) firm to handle both pre-construction services and the full renovation and addition to the 67-year-old venue.

Under the CMAR process:

• The selected firm will first provide constructability reviews, detailed cost estimates, scheduling, value engineering, and other advisory services.  
• Once the city and the firm agree on a Guaranteed Maximum Price, the same contractor will complete the full construction.

Key deadlines:  

• Optional pre-bid conference: May 19, 2026 (already held)  
• Sealed proposals due: June 23, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

No addendums have been issued as of May 29, 2026. Full bid documents — including detailed plans, specifications, and demolition drawings — are available through the City of San Angelo’s procurement portal (Free registration required).

What Voters Approved

Voters approved the $41.6 million bond package on May 3, 2025, by a 53% margin. The renovation is designed to transform the Coliseum into a significantly larger, modern multi-purpose venue.

Planned upgrades include:  

• Nearly doubling seating capacity from roughly 5,000 to more than 10,000 seats (approximately 3,000 new grandstand seats and roughly 2,150 new club-level seats and skyboxes)  
• Hundreds of additional restroom fixtures  
• Expanded concessions, improved pedestrian flow, enhanced safety features, and a refreshed exterior

City and tourism officials project the upgraded facility could generate an additional $73 million in annual economic impact for San Angelo by attracting larger concerts, rodeos, trade shows, and other events.

City leaders deliberately scheduled procurement after the 2026 San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo and fair season to avoid disrupting those events. No demolition or construction has begun.

As of today, the coliseum project is in the middle of the RFP process that will result in the selection of the CMAR firm that will present the final Guaranteed Maximum Price. Once the numbers are finalized this summer, rodeo and City officials as well as the voting public will know what if any, additional contribution will be required from the Stock Show and Rodeo Association.