What does your dream fairground look like?

People in Cheyenne County care about what happens at their fairgrounds.

“We’ve been having conversations for over a year about the fairgrounds,” said Connie Hancock, UNL extension educator in Sidney.

Extension staff in conjunction with a group of volunteers who call themselves the Dream Team are working to determine how to improve the grounds. The Dream Team came to a fork in the road and decided it needed some community involvement to decide where to take its plans. Public input is critical, in Hancock’s opinion.

In order to gather the community’s opinion, the group created a survey asking the public to rank its fairgrounds needs and wants. The survey was first made available on July 31. Almost 200 people had completed the survey by the end of that day.

The group’s dream fairgrounds would feature a facility with an enclosed arena, facilities for livestock, space for static 4-H exhibits, a certified kitchen as well as meeting and banquet space.

“I think the goal is to think about a multi-purpose for the fairgrounds,” Hancock said.

Although the team has a list for its perfect fairgrounds, completing all the projects on the list just isn’t realistic. Citizen opinions will help the team determine which portions of its dream fairgrounds are most important to the public.

This survey is being conducted to better understand community needs and wants in reference to the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds. Results from the survey will be used to develop plans for the type of multi-use space desired by the citizens of Cheyenne County, according to Cynthia Gill, also of the UNL extension office.

Whatever is built at the fairgrounds will be a long-term structure that needs to work for those currently invested at the fairgrounds as well as their children and grandchildren, she said.

Last year, those with ties to the fairgrounds realized that some of the structures needed upgrades, repairs or replacements. They then formed the Cheyenne County Fund and the Dream Team to decide what to do with the grounds.

“We want to make sure we do it right,” said Mary Katos, a volunteer who worked on the survey.

As of Monday, more than 400 people had taken the survey, which continues until Aug. 15.

After the results from the survey are collected, they will be shared with the Dream Team and and Fair Board. The group will then hold a town hall meeting, probably some time in September to share the results with the community and to get more input.

Although no funding decisions have been made, whatever happens at the fairgrounds may include a public-private partnership, Hancock said.

With 400 surveys completed over five days, Hancock hopes to receive 1,000 responses before Aug. 15.

“I think it’s reachable,” she said.

Those involved were pleasantly surprised by the survey response.

“I was shocked,” Katos said.

Katos has already begun looking over the surveys.

“What makes me so happy is the comments are wonderful,” she said.

The Cheyenne County Community Fund has already received multiple local donations, many in memory of those who loved the fair.

“The fair meant a lot to a lot of people,” Katos said.

Interested parties can access the survey at surveymonkey.com/s/cheycofair.

Business cards with the address for the online survey were available at the fair. Printed copies are also available for those who don’t wish to complete the survey online.