Fairgrounds looking into redevelopment, upgrades

The county is looking for some help, in the form of community donations, to make the fairgrounds more hospitable.

Connie Hancock of the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds Association spoke with county commissioners at yesterday's meeting about potential upcoming fairgrounds projects. The plans call for new facilities and upgrades, perhaps even a catering set up.

Hancock assured the commissioners that there were no final plans and reminded the group that everything was still up for discussion.

"As we think of the future of the fairgrounds and the future of potential use, what does that look like five, ten years down the road?" Hancock asked. "Not just for what we need today, but for what we might need in the future."

Although the commissioners raised doubts, and no decision was made, considerable interest in some form of development exists.

Before approaching the county last evening, Hancock and her team of planners spoke with many influential members of the Sidney community about ideas for the future of the fairgrounds. The team developed many options, that could include various new projects and upgrades for a wide range of price tags.

"The dream team has come up with some pretty high potential dreams," Hancock said.

One of the group's most lofty hopes is for an enclosed rodeo arena, but smaller goals are on the table as well.

"Our immediate need from our office's perspective is facilities for our livestock," Hancock said.

A certified kitchen for caterers and vendors was high on the wish list. Hancock also mentioned the possibility of more outdoor gathering space and an expanded meeting area.

"That's one thing that seems to be at a premium in our community is meeting space," Hancock said.

The group met with an architect to discuss building plans and toured fair buildings in surrounding counties to get an idea of what any new construction might look like. Installing a new speaker system, bleachers, bathroom and showers were additional potential options.

"We want something that's kind of quaint and people want to come to," Hancock said.

Other construction possibilities include a playground and an area for storage.

The commissioners voiced hopes that community businesses such as grain elevators and banks might pledge money to fairground projects.

"I think all those entities ought to be involved somehow," observed County Commissioner Chairman Harold Winkelman.

Once the group has a plan in place and potential costs outlined, community businesses will most likely come forward and donate, Hancock said. The group has already met with 4-H families and leaders, and other important members of the community such as city manager Gary Person and the chamber of commerce, which she claimed is very excited about new business possibilities at the fair grounds.

"They have great interest in looking at this facility in terms of potentially using it," Hancock said.

The group's hope was to unveil some sort of plan for display during the fair at the end of this month. This would facilitate some discussion, and allow fair-goers to visualize the possible projects while they're at the grounds.

Commissioner Ken McMillen wondered if the cattle barns would be located in a different position after this revamp.

"From a 4-H youth perspective, we'd like things to be a little closer together," Hancock pointed out.

She also cautioned that since the group is still in the pre-planning stages, she can't say anything for certain.

"Nothing's off the table," Hancock said.

Hancock brought along Jana Jensen, director of community fund development for the Nebraska Community Foundation with information about ways in which her organization could help the county collect funds for fairgrounds projects instead of using tax money.

"I've been told by numerous people, money's not a problem, getting the right plan is," Hancock said.

McMillen raised doubts that the whole project could be funded by donations.

"What we can provide for you is to allow you to have charitable dollars come in to support this project," Jensen said.

If the county chose to use this organization's services, the NCF would do all the accounting, and help with fundraising for the project.

"We've worked with lots of different communities and counties on building community centers, fair grounds buildings, and that type of thing," Jensen said.

The commissioners would have to approve a Cheyenne County fund with NCF in order to accept charitable donations for specific projects. The cost would be a $500 initial fee to establish the fund and then a $400 annual membership fee. The county would pay $100 to create each new account, Jensen said. In conjunction with any accounts opened with NCF, the county would gain assistance for any related capital campaigns.

The Cheyenne County Fund could, in the future, open many accounts devoted to various projects.

"We'll initially create the account for fair grounds projects but its something that could go much beyond that and gather charitable dollars for other projects in the county," Jensen said. "It's not just a one shot deal."

She thinks that there are a lot of organizations and people in the county that would be willing to donate, if they had an easy and reliable way to do so.

"The money's there, we just have to talk to the right people and allow them a process in order to get the charitable deductions to make the dream come true," Jensen said.

County Commissioner Steven Olson wondered if these accounts would accrue any interest. Usually interest is paid on NCF's accounts, but because of the poor state of the economy at this time, the group isn't able to pay it right now, Jensen said.

"If we set this up on our own, we will have to do all the accounting and auditing ourselves," McMillen said.

Jensen assured McMillen that the main thing communities receive from her organization is administrative and accounting work.

Olson asked if money donated into an account reserved for a project needed to be used for that specific project. Jensen reminded the commissioners that dollars collected for any certain project need to be used in relation to that project.

"We can't gather charitable dollars for this big, beautiful facility on the fair grounds and then decide to use the money for something downtown," Jensen said.

Cheyenne County treasurer Diane Scott had some doubts about setting up a charitable fund. After a discussion with the state auditor, Scott was concerned that all the money would have to go through her office before being deposited into the fair fund. The commissioners decided to put any official decision on hold until uncertainties about money collections were resolved.

"Because you are a county government, the funneling system works a little easier," Jensen assured the group.

Hancock was hoping to announce new plans and donation programs at the Cheyenne County fair and McMillen understood why. It would be a shame to turn down a generous person because the fund wasn't set up yet, McMillen said.

The group hopes that this fund will decrease the amount of tax dollars spent on fair grounds projects.

Hancock's team is trying to research all options thoroughly before deciding what direction to take with the projects.

"It's something to look forward to, I think, down the road," Winkelman said.