County Seeks Master Plan for Fairgrounds After Renovation Options Presented

SLAY Architects and county staff presented possible renovations for the existing Webb County fairgrounds, including demo or retrofit options for an exhibit barn, air-conditioned ticket booths, improvements to the beer concession area, and repairs to the stage and electrical systems. Monica Guajardo of SLAY Architects urged the court to pick a direction so staff can scope change orders and bid components not currently in the contract.

"We took some pictures just to document the areas and provided an opinion of probable cost based on a general cost per square foot," Guajardo said. Commissioners debated whether to retrofit the existing 20,000-square-foot exhibit barn or build a new 10,000-square-foot structure, and several asked for a master plan that ties the current change orders to the new fairgrounds construction. The court asked staff to return with a workshop and master-plan options before approving additional major change orders.