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Community voices urge care for 4‑H assets as fairgrounds work ramps up
Summary
Residents and foundation leaders told the Powell County Fairgrounds board that planned demolition and storage moves must protect equipment built and paid for largely by 4‑H members; the FG Improvement Foundation reported mailing 2,000 donation flyers.
Multiple guests and foundation leaders used the Jan. 15 meeting to press the Powell County Fairgrounds Management Board to protect youth‑owned equipment and to include 4‑H stakeholders in planning as demolition and relocation work begins.
A public commenter told the board that 4‑H members and market committees have funded much of the equipment on site, saying that “the kids have paid for 90% of the stuff that is at the fairgrounds” through those programs. Board members acknowledged the point and discussed options for temporary storage and volunteer assistance but did not provide a detailed accounting in the minutes.
Yvonne Hanson, representing the FG Improvement Foundation, said the foundation mailed 2,000 flyers seeking donations and emphasized donations are welcome from outside Powell County. Hanson also noted the foundation launched a new Facebook account to coordinate community outreach.
Guests urged the board not to remove structures or equipment without a concrete storage plan. Suggestions included using 4‑H clubs for volunteer help, building panels to protect market scales, and considering donated tents as interim solutions for picnic or stall space. Tony Stoddard suggested building panels to protect the market scales and leaving them on site; Melissa Gallagher said some interim space at the south end of the BR might be available but nothing had been finalized.
The minutes record community frustration that demolition or storage decisions could disproportionately harm youth programs and small vendors if equipment is lost or moved without clear planning. Several speakers urged the board to conduct an on‑site inventory walkthrough to catalogue equipment before removal.
The board acknowledged the concerns and scheduled follow‑up work by the subcommittee and staff; the minutes show no formal vote on funding for protective storage or volunteer programs at this meeting.
