The Ravalli County Fairgrounds Foundation asked the Board of County Commissioners on May 28, 2025, for seed funding to pay for architectural and engineering design necessary to seek grants and permits for a new, year‑round restroom and family facilities at the county fairgrounds.

Joy McClure, speaking for the Fairgrounds Foundation, said the current women's restroom has 18 stalls but five have been out of order for at least two years because replacement parts are no longer available. The foundation seeks an engineering package that will allow grant applications and fundraising; an A and E Design proposal provided to the county estimates a not-to-exceed cost of about $11,800 for architectural drawings and structural and mechanical engineering permitting work. The proposal included an indicated donation of services in the architectural portion.

The foundation proposes siting the new structure on the north end of the wooden grandstand (behind the aluminum bleachers) to use underutilized vendor space, align with existing water and sewer gravity connections on site, and add family restrooms and paid showers to serve bicyclists and multi-day events. The foundation also proposes repurposing the current restroom building as covered storage for chairs and equipment when the new facility is operational.

Commissioners and county staff discussed procurement rules: county purchasing policy requires competitive bids for contracts at or above $10,000. Presenters said A and E Design prepared drawings without a signed contract and that some work may already be complete; commissioners asked the foundation to negotiate a final fee under the $10,000 threshold where possible so the county could proceed without a competitive bid. Commissioners advised the foundation and staff to pursue a competitive procurement if the final package exceeds county bidding thresholds and to verify site, sewer and utility connections as part of permitting. The board did not approve funding at the meeting; county staff and the foundation agreed to follow up on price, procurement path and potential county contract routing.