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Commission approves fairgrounds Show Barn upgrades; commissioner objects to fans over swamp coolers
Summary
Lea County approved a cooperative services agreement for upgrades under the fairgrounds Show Barn (fans, blowers and electrical load splitting) but a commissioner said they would vote no because staff did not install swamp coolers or air conditioning now; staff said electrical work is intended to enable future AC installation.
The Lea County Board of County Commissioners on April 9 authorized cooperative educational services work with Lascaux Construction to install larger fans, blowers and electrical upgrades under the Show Barn at the county fairgrounds.
Wyatt Duncan, the fairgrounds director, described the work as continuation of last year’s upgrades and said the scope included moving fans to a new tack area, adding larger fans over bleachers, and splitting electrical load so the site can support future air-conditioning or other heavier equipment. He said prior electrical work with LYNCO Electric will be followed by additional distribution to support blowers and shears.
During public and commissioner comment, a commissioner who said the fairgrounds had requested swamp coolers for years criticized the plan and said they would vote no unless swamp coolers or air conditioning were installed now, arguing fans would merely blow hot air and be a waste. Duncan replied that splitting the electrical load is a necessary first step and that staff could obtain quotes for air-conditioning once the load is available.
Supporters at the meeting argued the investment benefits county youth and will deliver durable infrastructure. The motion to approve the CES agreement carried following standard procedure.
The contract and electrical work aim to modernize fairgrounds systems and reduce recurring maintenance, with staff noting the upgrades are expected to be long-lasting. Commissioners discussed future options (swamp coolers or AC) and requested cost estimates for alternatives prior to future projects.
The commission moved to the next agenda item after the vote; staff did not provide a timeline for installation of air conditioning during the meeting.
