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Commissioners discuss fairgrounds future, approve 32‑hour work week for fairground staff
Summary
Commissioners debated options for the county fairgrounds' future — from mothballing to hosting year‑round activities — and received a project update from fairgrounds staff. The board approved Resolution 133‑2025 to change all fairground positions to a 32‑hour work week with full benefits, effective Oct. 21, 2025.
Commissioners discussed the future and financial footing of the Okanogan County fairgrounds and approved a personnel change to move fairground positions to a 32‑hour work week with full benefits.
Board members, staff and the fairgrounds manager reviewed operations and capital figures for the site. Participants said the racetrack has been a recurring operating loss (costs cited in the discussion included a railing project of about $38,893, Titan Buildings work around $31,000 and race‑gate components previously at about $98,000) and that several facilities received prior capital investment. Fairgrounds staff and commissioners described possible alternatives to keep the site viable, including year‑round or seasonal community uses such as a seasonal ice rink with summer sports, roller hockey and lacrosse tournaments. Participants noted a challenge: lodging and visitation dollars are typically captured inside city limits, which complicates capturing tourism revenue for events held outside municipal boundaries.
Fairgrounds staff updated the board on construction and maintenance work at the site. A pump house project was reported as ongoing: footings and backfill operations are complete and plumbing spools with flanged connections are being used to simplify future repairs. Staff described plans to pour the floor and begin building construction soon and explained that the pump‑house design uses flanged piping spools to avoid cutting pipe for repairs.
After discussion, the board considered and approved Resolution 133‑2025, changing all fairground positions to a 32‑hour work week with full benefits, effective Oct. 21, 2025. A commissioner made the motion, it was seconded, and the board carried the resolution by voice vote.
Commissioners asked staff to continue exploring alternative revenue sources for the fairgrounds, including lodging‑tax support and partnerships with neighboring jurisdictions for event promotion, and to report back on proposals from outside groups seeking to locate seasonal ice facilities or other revenue‑generating uses.
