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Powell County Fairgrounds board advances arena relocation and site repairs, sets March–April grandstand work
Summary
At its Jan. 15 meeting, the Powell County Fairgrounds Management Board reviewed Mosaic’s schematic design, formed an arena subcommittee, and set a March–April window to remove the remaining grandstand while discussing roof, sewer and staffing needs.
Amanda Cooley opened the Jan. 15 meeting of the Powell County Fairgrounds Management Board with a review of timelines and costs for a multi‑phase redevelopment of the fairgrounds, including relocation of the main arena and removal of the remaining grandstand.
Mosaic has completed schematic design for the arena relocation, and the board formed an arena subcommittee — named members include Bill Baker, Trent Freeman, Kaehl Berg, Leonard Thornley and Wade Thornley — to refine pen, alley and chute layouts. The board said the remaining grandstand will need to be removed before a foundation for a new grandstand can be built, with removal expected in March or April.
Amanda Cooley said the main arena will be shortened by 50 feet to address chronic drainage problems and will measure 350 feet after the change; the small arena will remain unchanged. Tony Stoddard told the meeting that spectator parking will be consolidated on the south end of the property and that arena‑related cabinets on the south side will remain in place.
Board members also reviewed near‑term repair needs. Melissa Gallagher reported that roof leaks in the BR are caused by washers that have come loose; the board estimated roughly $20,000 for repairs and said it is coordinating with the county commissioners on funding. Gallagher also said concrete bathrooms need replacement because of mold, calling that a relatively inexpensive project.
Sewer failures prompted more urgent discussion. The minutes record that crews found low spots that led to kitchen flooding; the line was water‑jetted and camera inspection found bad fittings. The pipe was hydro‑blasted for the last 300 feet. The board said it is working with county commissioners and DEQ to secure permitting and to upsize the line and install manholes.
Amanda Cooley said the board is contracting with Great West to assess grading, depth and sizing for the infrastructure work, which will inform construction timelines. On water supply, Dale Perkins said the wash rack has been switched from the well to city water, which he said addressed a sand problem affecting the site.
The meeting minutes list several immediate logistics items: materials stored under the north side of the pavilion and in the jockey shed need to be moved (targeting many moves by March 1), and panel and stall inventory will be cataloged to ensure equipment needed for shows remains available. The board noted that some interim storage options are being considered, but no final storage plan was confirmed.
The meeting closed after a review of bills (flyer boxes, $104.99; TSS Construction winterizing work, $4,618.50). The minutes record the bills being presented but do not clearly record a motion or vote to pay them. The board adjourned at approximately 7:00 p.m.
Next steps: the arena subcommittee will continue design work, the board will coordinate with Great West and county officials on permitting and grading, and the group plans an on‑site inventory walkthrough to finalize what must be moved before demolition begins.
