Hestand Stadium in Pine Bluff hit by copper theft

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Hestand Stadium in Pine Bluff hosts dozens of events all year long, but future events like the Southeast Arkansas District Fair and even a circus are in jeopardy after a copper theft.

“They come in here and tore all the wiring, copper out of this building, which we’re getting ready for the fair, getting ready for the high school rodeo, getting ready for the big monster truck race,” Hestand Stadium treasurer Dale Dixon said.

Dixon said the cost of wire compared to the damage done leaves him feeling defeated.

“You’re looking at $13,000 to $14,000 [worth of damage] and they got maybe $200 worth of copper,” Dixon said.

He said the thieves stole copper, fans and electrical plugs, which makes putting on a fair for the county harder than it should be.

“They’re putting us in a lot of pressure when that shouldn’t be that way, because we work year-round to try to get these events here,” Dixon said.

Despite the damage, Dixon said that they’ll be able get things in time.

“We’ll be struggling but I believe we’ll make it,” Dixon said.

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