Commissioners authorize up to $10,000 for schematic work to evaluate fairgrounds site for arena and 4‑H uses

Williams County commissioners authorized staff on Sept. 2 to spend up to $10,000 on schematic and site-design work with Icon Architects to evaluate whether the county fairgrounds could accommodate an arena and related facilities. The request came from county staff seeking a short consultant engagement to test site layouts and parking scenarios before any larger procurement process.

A county staff member explained Icon Architects — based in Watford City — had already prepared schematic work during earlier vetting of locations and that the requested contract would provide more precise plan dimensions and elevation analysis for the fairgrounds site. The work is intended to show whether building footprints and required parking could fit the property if the county proceeds with an indoor/outdoor arena alongside 4‑H uses.

The staff member said the contract would be limited to schematic-level work, take six months or less and that the county would follow a larger request-for-proposals process if it advances the full project. Commissioners moved to approve the contract authorization and carried the motion by roll call.