Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fairgrounds Maintenance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sherman County commissioners hear plan to repair fairgrounds pavilion, approve short-term event leases
Summary
Friends of the Fairgrounds presented a phased maintenance plan and a single bid to replace windows at the pavilion ahead of a 2027 centennial; commissioners approved two short-term fairgrounds leases and asked staff to solicit additional bids and return with a prioritized plan at the Oct. 14 meeting.
Sherman County commissioners on Tuesday heard a public presentation urging immediate maintenance on the county fairgrounds pavilion and approved two short-term event leases for the livestock and pavilion buildings.
A representative of Friends of the Fairgrounds told commissioners the pavilion needs new upper and lower windows, repairs to exposed rafters and foundation work to prevent water intrusion. The group submitted one bid for window replacement and said the work should be staged, starting with windows and footers, to preserve the building and prepare for a planned centennial event in 2027. "I want to see those windows replaced, get some light back in that building," the speaker said during public comment.
Earlier in the meeting the board approved a college engineering department lease to use the livestock building for a haunted-house event Oct. 24–25 and a YGB showmanship camp lease for June 6–8 next year. Commissioners confirmed that proof of insurance had been provided before approving the haunted-house lease.
Commissioners and staff raised regulatory and logistics questions, including city code that requires wash facilities when nine or more campers are present and a pending city Board of Zoning Appeals variance hearing on Oct. 21 for proposed extended camping. County staff said the county lacks zoning authority inside city limits and recommended clarifying options with the city. Commissioners asked staff to solicit competitive bids for the window work and to obtain concrete and painting estimates so the county can prioritize capital outlay funding.
The board asked Friends of the Fairgrounds to bring a written, prioritized plan and additional bid information to the Oct. 14 meeting so the commissioners could assess how much work to fund and in what order. With that follow-up, the county said it would evaluate in stages whether county crews or contractors should perform foundation and concrete work.
The pavilion discussion followed routine business; commissioners also noted a donation from Black Hills Energy to the fire department earmarked for protective gear.
