Commissioners hear update on proposed fairground building project

An effort to construct a new building at the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds is moving along.

Members of the Cheyenne County Fair Building Committee provided an update on the group's progress at a county commissioners meeting earlier this week.

On Monday, Marty McMillen said the proposed project has shifted from a simple hay shed to a fully enclosed steel building that will serve as a livestock pavilion.

The clock is ticking for the project since more than $40,000 in insurance money will be cut in half if it isn't spent by the end of the year.

McMillen said so far, $227,000 has been raised for the construction of the structure.

Proceeds from a pancake feed during next fall's Octoberfest will also be directed to the project.

Plans for a new building have been in the works for more than a year.

A "dream team" committee was previously established to create a list of upgrades and amenities for the fairgrounds if money wasn't an issue.

The current plans are more narrow in scope, but commissioners said a new building is needed soon.

Troy Curz, who is helping solicit bids for the project, asked about the process for moving the concept forward.

"What process do I need to go through to make sure we meet the criteria from commissioners on bids?" he asked. "What's the protocol?"

County Clerk Beth Fiegenschuh explained it would need to be advertised that bids are being accepted and the specifications of the construction will need to be made available to potential bidders.

Once the bid period is over, commissioners will open the submissions and make a decision, she continued.

"We probably have enough to get the bidding started," McMillen said. "I feel like we're on pretty solid ground to start the project."

A tentative time line includes tearing down the existing building after this year's fair, having a pad in place by Octoberfest and then beginning construction after that, he added.

County Treasurer Diane Scott told members of the fair building committee she was impressed by how quickly the group was moving.

"You guys are really moving the ball forward," she said.

Commission chairman Darrell Johnson concurred.

"Thank you very much for your hard work," he said.

Following Monday's discussion regarding the proposed new building, commissioners continued discussing the fairgrounds – but a separate subject with a different board.

Johnson told the Fairground Board in previous weeks there had been problems with campers at the fairgrounds vandalizing electrical boxes and plugging up the sewer system.

There are 34 RV camping sites at the fairgrounds – 24 have electric hookups and another 10 have electric, water and sewer hookups.

While the campsites were initially only available during events, such as the fair or Octoberfest, in recent years they have available for renting anytime, according to Fiegenschuh.

Prices per night for the sites range from $10-14, depending on the services.

Commissioner Philip Sanders said with the current prices, the county was undercutting other businesses in the community.

Johnson added with the recent bouts on vandalism, offering campsites was costing the county.

Commissioners discussed limiting camping at the site to vendors and special events. The topic was ultimately tabled, but will be discussed again at the next meeting on June 1.