Expo director seeks reimbursement for jumbotron engineering, outlines event needs

Lauren Ragan, director of the Pittsburg County Expo Center, briefed the board on recent events and near-term needs. She reported that the Corvette club had located and paid a structural engineer to evaluate support for the jumbotron and is seeking reimbursement; Ragan said she was waiting on stamped engineer paperwork and that the club had paid for the engineer to expedite installation ahead of a scheduled event.

Ragan presented estimates and options for floor preparation and surface treatments, and she described staging needs for upcoming events: a Corvette show, boxing matches on Aug. 1 and a tractor pull planned for Dec. 11'12 that would require a 50/50 sand-and-clay mix. She also asked for approval to order seven new sponsor banners and for staff to wear matching shirts during the boxing event. The board received Ragan's report and recorded it in the minutes; no separate appropriation was approved at the meeting.

Estimates included a structural engineering invoice (Hesson Engineering, $739.00) and competing floor/surface work quotes: Bishop's Painting estimated $58,228.70 for prep, painting and materials; two Cougar King Epoxy estimates were provided for epoxy flake flooring ($167,500) and stained concrete ($151,500). Ragan asked the board to consider reimbursement to the club for engineering fees and to allow contracts or purchases needed to ready the Expo for near-term events.