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Meriwether County Cattlemen's Association pitches $28 million Community Agricultural Center
Summary
Association leaders presented plans for a multi-use Community Agricultural Center on roughly 28 acres (site of the recent rodeo), describing Cooperative Extension space, classrooms, an arena, livestock facilities and event areas, and gave a preliminary cost estimate of about $28 million; the Board asked staff and counsel to explore legal and funding options.
Lanny Rampley and landscape architect Scott Colomb presented a conceptual design to the Meriwether County Board of Commissioners on June 8 for a Community Agricultural Center to be built on roughly 28 acres between Highway 27 Alternate and County Farm Road, the same property used for the weekend rodeo.
The presenters described a multi-use complex intended to serve agricultural education and community events while hosting non-agricultural rentals that could generate lodging and dining activity. Scott Colomb said the main building would offer office space for the Cooperative Extension Service, a meeting room for about 150 people, classrooms that the school system could use, and a demonstration kitchen for future Family and Consumer Sciences programming. Colomb described approximately 37,000 square feet of climate-controlled space, an additional 37,000 square feet of covered non-climate space, and a covered arena of roughly 54,000 square feet with permanent bleachers and room for temporary seating. He said the site plan also includes a livestock barn, maintenance facility, parking and circulation improvements, and a courtyard for outdoor events.
Project proponents emphasized flexibility: the complex could host simultaneous small events or a single large-scale show, and many successful comparable venues attract dog shows, card shows and other non-agricultural rentals. Rampley said the concept is intended to "serve the citizens of Meriwether County," not only the Meriwether County Cattlemen's Association, and that the Association would help raise funds if the County chose to own the facility. Colomb said the preliminary estimated cost for the full project is "approximately $28 million," and the presenters noted the plan could be built in phases if desired.
Board members asked how ownership and funding would be structured. Commissioner Gene King noted many arena facilities are simpler and questioned whether a smaller build would meet local needs; he asked whether the $28 million had been secured. The presenters replied that the Association would need to raise funds and that the concept evolved as needs and opportunities were identified. County Attorney Nathan Lee said legal options likely exist for County involvement but that the matter would require additional legal research and review before a formal recommendation could be made.
Chairman Emmett Collins said the presentation merited further discussion. Commissioner Adam Worsley suggested the Association meet with the Industrial Development Authority and county economic-development officials to explore possibilities; Mr. Rampley said the Association would be willing to manage the facility under a long-term lease if the County owned it. No formal vote or funding commitment was taken.
Next steps: the Board asked staff and counsel to research legal structures and funding options and recommended follow-up meetings with the Industrial Development Authority and county staff. The Association will continue fundraising discussions and return with additional details if the Board indicates interest.
