By Carolyn Cole
Published on February 2, 2008

Mustang resident Reba Baker has barrel raced and sorted cattle with her father and sister in the Cedar Springs Arena for most of her life.

Now the facility’s future is in question.

The 48,000-square-foot Cedar Springs Arena, at 1120 E. state Highway 152, is listed on the Feb. 19 sheriff’s sale in connection with a 2004 civil case, in which the owner is listed among the defendants. Attempts to contact the owner through attorneys and his financial institution were not returned before press time.

Chuck Revelle, with the Oklahoma National Guard, said the military purchased 40 acres just south of the arena to build a $40 million regional armed forces reserve center. Planning has already started on building the facility, he said, which is expected to be competed within 2 1/2 years.

Revelle said the National Guard had considered purchasing another property nearby, but it is too early to make any announcements. When the armory opens, it is expected to bring 100 workers and 600 drilling Reserve and National Guard soldiers from across the state to town each weekend.