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Fair board details $20,000 grant for Building 10 replacement, well-house upgrades and plans to seek $15,000 county support to eliminate gate fees
Summary
Board members reported a $20,000 grant to replace a failing Building 10, ongoing well-house replacements, fence and concrete repairs, a plan to ask the county for $15,000 to remove gate fees for the fair, and steps to upgrade security cameras.
Board staff reported a $20,000 grant has been awarded to replace Building 10 at the Richland County Fairgrounds and outlined several maintenance and infrastructure projects planned for the season, including replacement of two old well houses, fence work along County Highway A A and concrete repairs at the grandstands.
Staff said Building 10 is structurally compromised, with burrowing animals having undermined the floor; the grant funds will be used to buy a premanufactured building (staff named Old Hickory as the likely vendor) sized similar to the current structure, with a rear project space for maintenance and an office area for 4‑H. Highway department crews removed old well-house buildings and will install new plumbing and pressure tanks; staff said the well-house project began last year but continued this spring.
The board also discussed gate entry for the annual fair. The board plans to prepare a resolution to present to the county’s executive finance committee and then to the county board requesting $15,000 so the fair can be free to enter for the general public. The board said the intent is to stop charging routine gate fees and instead run point-of-sale operations at the grandstands during specific events. Staff noted the county recently made levy-transfer adjustments of about $15,000.
Other items reported: the Hub City dirt-track event will hold a safety meeting next Wednesday at about 9:11 a.m. with EMS and sheriff’s department participation; fairgrounds staff are exploring an MIS-led security camera upgrade and are considering a cellular camera option because of cabling limitations (staff said the cost may be considered for 2026 short‑term borrowing); a previously planned truck pull withdrew its request; and small events including an auction and a radio event are on the calendar.
Board members also discussed volunteer painting of ticket booths and identified one booth that may need carpentry work before painting.
