Clark County Fairgrounds Revitalization Project Progressing Nicely
Tuesday, January 21st, 2020 -- 12:48 PM
-The Clark County Fairgrounds Revitalization Project is continuing along nicely.I spoke with Forestry and Parks Director Rick Dailey and he provided some background on the project.
“The project started, actually, several years ago. There were some visioning sessions that were initiated by the Friends of the Fairgrounds. Fair and fairgrounds visioning sessions. Through those sessions, through that process then, we put together a Strategic Plan for the fairgrounds. That Strategic Plan was approved by the Forestry and Parks Committee about a year and a half ago. That plan then, is intended to guide us into the future on the fairgrounds.”
“The plan itself had substantial stakeholder involvement with the Fair Board, the Livestock Committee and other folks interested in the fair and the fairgrounds. So, we are in the process of implementing that Strategic Plan at this time and working towards those goals. So, there were a number of items that were identified in that plan. And, right now, we’re currently working on the multi-purpose livestock barn. That has been identified as the number one priority and we’re continuing to work on that.”
He then went into further detail regarding the new livestock barn that is the current priority of the project.
“The multi-purpose livestock barn became a priority because of the condition of many of the barns up there, particularly the hog barn and the beef barn have some issues. The multi-purpose livestock barn is a post frame construction. It’s 200 X 130 feet and it is intended to house all the market animals. That includes the hogs, the beef and the sheep and possibly the goats would also go in there. Likely, the goats would go there. That being said, the barn has an estimated capacity of 450 head.”
He also discussed some of the other projects they would like to see completed after the new livestock barn.
“As part of the revitalization project also, there’s an intent to create some green space area where the beef barn currently exists. And then there’s also, at some point down the road, the idea of building a multi-purpose event center for the fairgrounds. The multi-purpose event center would be a year round facility. Right now, we don’t have that capability at the fairgrounds. So, that would be a nice addition for the fairgrounds. I do continually receive requests for facility rentals that we’re not able to provide because we don’t have those facilities.”
The fundraising team for the project is doing a fantastic job.
“We have a great fundraising team that’s been working very hard. Our current donations, pledges and in-kind are approximately $305,000. Once we hit $350,000, an anonymous donor will kick in another $100,000. So, essentially, we’re about $60,000 short of our goal right now. The goal is for $165,000 total. That is half the cost of a multi-purpose livestock barn, the construction of the barn itself. The county has committed to matching all contributions 100%. So, the total cost of the barn is $930,000 and the county would pay half of that and also pay for infrastructure and site work required for the barn.”
Finally, Rick ended our interview by explaining why they’d like to be able to hold year round events at the fairground and how a new multipurpose event center could help them do that.
“We have a wonderful facility up there, but it is an aging facility. We do need to upgrade it. And there is a demand for year round events at the fairgrounds. We feel that some of the buildings we have would compliment that year round facility. And we feel it would be good for the community by bringing other events in and also working with other facilities within the community to help support the fairgrounds and events at the fairgrounds.”
If you’d like to learn more about or donate to the Clark County Fairgrounds Revitalization Project, you can contact the Clark County Forestry and Parks Department at 715-743-5140 or you can contact the Clark County Community Foundation at 715-937-6167 or clarkccf.org.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.