Changes planned for fairgrounds ag building

Insulation, air conditioning in the plans

EPHRATA — Major changes may be coming to the agriculture exhibit building at Grant County Fairgrounds, including air conditioning.

Tom Gaines, the county’s director of central services, told Grant County commissioners Monday that the fairgrounds’ master plan envisions remodeling the ag building so that it’s like the commercial and 4H buildings. Currently, it’s an uninsulated metal building with access through two roll-up doors and one regular door.

The remodeling will include making the building weather-tight and adding insulation. Air conditioning and heating will be added when that’s completed. The roll-up doors will remain, and the existing door will be repaired. The plan also includes an additional door for pedestrians. The building’s concrete apron will be expanded at the back entrance.

Gaines estimated the repairs and upgrades would cost about $75,000 to $80,000, excluding the heating-cooling system.

Commissioner Richard Stevens commented that the master plan included connecting the 4H and commercial buildings, and that prompted Commissioner Cindy Carter to ask about connecting the commercial and ag buildings. Connecting all three buildings would allow the fairgrounds to attract bigger events, Carter said.

In other business, Gaines reported that a request for proposals to upgrade the field next to the rodeo grounds didn’t attract any interest. He attributed that to a lack of specifications, considering the complex nature of the project. The area is crisscrossed with electrical and water lines, Gaines said. The project will include a paved path around the area, which is used for vendors during the fair. The path is designed to improve access for people with limited mobility.

Gaines said he would work with the project engineer and fairgrounds manager Jim McKiernan to review the plan and send it out again for bid.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at [email protected].