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Commissioners weigh seasonal ice-rink proposal and ways to close $420,000 fairgrounds shortfall
Summary
County commissioners discussed a private vendor's seasonal ice-rink rent-to-own proposal and a range of measures to reduce a roughly $420,000 projected operating deficit at the fairgrounds, including sponsorships, fee-waiver caps and nonprofit operation. No final decision was made on the rink; staff will return with vendor details and a fee schedule.
Okanogan County commissioners spent a substantial portion of their session on the fairgrounds' finances and a pitched proposal from an outside vendor to install a seasonal ice rink.
A presenter described a two-year rent-to-own option and a starter equipment package priced at about $5,000. The plan projected modest admission fees (about $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and $5—6 for children for general sessions) and relied heavily on named sponsorships and ring-board advertising as primary revenue drivers. Commissioners and staff raised operational questions about refrigeration systems (ammonia chillers vs. circulating glycol), maintenance (smaller Zamboni options versus full rigs) and staffing for seasonal operations.
Commissioners also reviewed the fairgrounds' operating projection, which staff presented as roughly $586,000 to run the facility and a recurring gap on the order of $420,000. Discussion focused on ways to reduce that deficit: stricter fee-waiver limits, targeted watering and maintenance to preserve appearance without excessive cost, strengthened sponsorship programs, limiting costly fair events (for example, scaling back the adult rodeo in favor of youth events), and exploring whether a nonprofit could operate either the annual fair or the entire fairgrounds to reduce bureaucracy and internal contracting overhead.
Several commissioners described fee waivers as a frequent revenue leak and proposed a formal fee-schedule with a cap (one suggestion was capping waivers at 50% of the fee). Commissioners emphasized a desire to preserve the fairgrounds but also to show measurable, progressive improvements in the facility's financial performance.
No final vote was taken on the ice-rink proposal. Staff were asked to arrange follow-up with the vendor's representative, return with clearer cost/operational details (particularly refrigeration safety and staffing requirements), and prepare a proposed fee schedule and sponsorship plan for the board to review.
The board set follow-up actions, including a staff briefing on the rink vendor's full equipment and safety specifications and a separate discussion on long-term governance options for the fairgrounds.
