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Walsh County commission gives fair board permission to pursue Fair Resiliency grant and study new livestock arena location
Summary
A representative for the Walsh County Fair presented a plan to relocate and rebuild portions of the fairgrounds. Commissioners authorized the fair board to research building on the east end of the lot and to explore use of fair reserve funds as a potential match if awarded a Fair Resiliency grant.
The Walsh County Commission on June 3 unanimously authorized the fair board to pursue planning and fundraising related to a proposed livestock building and site work at the county fairgrounds, including examining use of fair funds as a potential local match if the county’s Fair Resiliency grant application is awarded.
Why it matters: the fair board seeks up to $100,000 in grant funding from a new Fair Resiliency program; county approval to research the site, confirm county ownership of the parcel and potentially allow use of fair reserve funds enables the board to proceed with fundraising and planning. The project is part of a longer term effort to replace aging fair facilities and reposition the site to reduce future repair costs.
What was presented: Luke (fair board representative) showed commissioners alternate building layouts developed after earlier planning. The preferred plan would construct a new livestock arena down the slope to the east of the current building footprint, allowing continued use of the existing building during construction and later converting the vacated footprint to stalls, concessions and parking. Cost estimates were described as preliminary; the fair board intends to use any awarded grant funds for early work that can be completed before the program’s stated deadlines (for example utility extension, dirt work or site preparation), not to commit to full construction without further fundraising.
Commission debate and approvals: commissioners asked whether the county owns the entire parcel proposed for development; staff and the fair board said they believe the county owns the land but agreed to verify property boundaries. Commissioners and county staff also discussed fair reserve balances and CDs that could be used as a local match. After discussion the commission voted unanimously to allow the fair board to research building on the east end of the lot, to verify county ownership, and to explore using fair board funds (including CDs) as the required local match should the grant be awarded.
Follow-up and limits: the commission’s motion authorized research and planning, not immediate construction or automatic transfer of county general fund money. Commissioners emphasized that any transfer or use of county-held funds would be subject to future budget or audit procedures and would return to the commission for formal approval.
Ending: The fair board will proceed with further planning, confirm ownership of the parcel and continue fundraising and grant‑application work. The commission requested periodic updates and verification of legal and budgetary constraints before any appropriation is made.
