Grant County Fairgrounds facelift is done

Facility ready for fair Aug. 12

MOSES LAKE - People going to the Grant County fair may see some improvements this year.

The commissioners started the $12 million improvements in 2007, after a 2005 report and on the suggestion of the fair board, according to county officials.

"From the data and input of board members and staff, it became clear that we needed to upgrade the utilities - water, sewer and electrical - and improve some of the primary use buildings to allow for year-round use, which is essential for the fair to prosper going forward," county commissioner Cindy Carter stated.

The improvements included an overhaul of the electrical and sewer systems and renovations on the 4-H building and new horse barns.

"We had to do the upgrade," county commissioner Richard Stevens said. "The water system had been cobbled together after 50 years. It was the same thing with the electrical. We needed a more laid out (system)."

Along with the infrastructure changes, there have been some changes to the buildings that people see. The biggest changes came with the renovation and expansion of the 4-H building, Stevens said.

"We rebuilt the 4-H building, so we now we can fit 250 people in there for a banquet," he said.

So far the county has spent $9.7 million of the $12 million bond. There are still improvements left to do on the bathrooms and on Airport Drive.

The construction on the four new bathrooms should be completed by the end of the year at a cost of about $1.35 million.

The straightening of Airway Drive is still in the planning stages.

"It should make the parking situation more friendly," Stevens said.

While the construction will continue in the fall, it won't affect this year's Grant County Fair, said Bill West, manager of the fairgrounds.

"There are no areas that are closed," he said. "There will be dirt in a few places where people are used to seeing grass, but there won't be any construction."