By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
A group of interested citizens would like to see the
indoor barn at the fairgrounds expanded.
Todd R. Day, chairman of the Fairgrounds Improvement
Committee, made the request in a letter written this
week.
"As a committee, we would like to see the arena area
widened 15-feet with a 20-foot area outside the arena for
livestock to be tied that will also allow horses, riders and
spectators to walk and move around," said Day.
He said that the current conditions do not allow
enough room to adequately provide for this safely.
"We would like this extension to extend as far to the
south as the south-side of the existing horse stalls," he
wrote. "To fully accommodate all suggested changes and
additions, the barn would also need to be extended 75-feet
to the west."
The committee also proposed, that in order to make the
indoor barn truly functional and in order to maintain
adequate facilities, they suggested a set of restrooms in
the southeast corner with a kitchen area located just west
of the restrooms.
They also would like the area from the arena to the
south to be considered for a meeting area and/or meeting
rooms.
"These changes and extensions would make our little
barn more user-friendly and safe for all of the current
events held there as well as future events that we could
hold in this area with the suggested improvements," Day
said.
Such improvements would add to the community and allow
additional opportunities for residents and would bring in
taxable income to the local businesses.
"Our committee feels that a large indoor arena would
be very attractive and a big 'draw card' for several events
as we are centrally located in the state," he said.
For the number of people impacted on a per seat basis,
a new grandstand would also be very advantageous.
"In looking at all of this and with no firm grant or
fund to supplement our goal, we would like you to consider
budgeting $300,000 to address the expansion and improvements
on the existing barn," Day said.
He said the committee would greatly appreciate the
county commission seriously consider the request. It would
be important, and justifiable, to add the improvements to
the budget.
Commissioners will discuss the proposal as they form
the budget in the next few weeks.
"That is a question to be discussed as we put the
budget together for the coming year," said Neil Cook,
commission chairman.
Val Jones, commissioner, said the request would mean
that the old barn where the horse stalls were located would
have to be eliminated.
"They are not in good shape anyway," he said.
|
