Park Board asks county to fund Southwest Speedway repairs, authorizes public bid process

The Stark County Park Board voted unanimously on Jan. 6 to put a package of repairs for the Southwest Speedway out for public bid and to request county commission funding for the work.

The board’s decision follows extensive public comment from racers, volunteers and Speedway representatives, who said the track draws thousands of fans and requires prompt structural and infrastructure repairs. “These are necessary repairs to keep going,” a Speedway representative told the board during the Jan. 6 meeting.

Staff presented bids and estimates for several discrete projects, including options for a retaining wall and drain tile, repairs to a hydrant, fencing work from Western Fence, and an LED lighting conversion. Preliminary figures discussed at the meeting included a retaining-wall option (staff memo referenced an option around $133,615 plus a drain tile priced at $10,350), a valley-gutter scope (~$34,142), fence repair quotes (deposits and a $20,000 figure were discussed), and lighting estimates in the range of $70,000. Staff noted some of the numbers were rebids or older estimates and recommended rebidding to obtain current prices.

Speedway operators and community members argued the repairs are urgent for safety and for the facility’s role in attracting regional and national events. One Speedway speaker said the facility could host larger, revenue-generating events if the work is completed: “They bring in 20-plus thousand dollars in funds themselves for their event, and thousands and thousands of people show up.” Several speakers requested a collaborative approach involving the county, potential nonprofit partners and local promoters to ensure a sustainable funding and maintenance plan.

Board members discussed procurement strategy — whether to package the work as a single prime contract or as separate contracts for distinct trades — and whether the total would trigger different statutory thresholds. The motion that passed directs staff to prepare and publish bid documents, rebid stale estimates where necessary, and present returned bids at a subsequent meeting or special meeting if timelines require it.

Next steps: staff will prepare a formal advertisement for bids and work with county procurement to confirm statutory requirements and publication timelines. The board’s motion also directs staff to forward the request for funding to the county commission for consideration.