Commissioners, fair board discuss arena expansion and livestock exhibit barn

A full house greeted the commissioners Monday morning to look at event arena expansion at the fairgrounds.

The Cheyenne County Commissioners meeting room was filled to capacity as members of the fair board and other interested individuals discussed a proposal to expand the event arena at the county fairgrounds in preparation for future monster truck events during the annual fair.

While the expansion plans would not be ready for this year's monster truck show at the county fair, which is set to include 13 cars and four trucks, it would allow for a more expansive shows starting in 2017.

"So if they want to jump a bus, we'll have to expand the arena," Project Coordinator Marty McMillen said.

The expansion would require moving water lines along the east side of the arena near a holding corral, as well as a pole housing a speaker. Bleachers on that side would also be moved about 20 feet to allow for the expansion.

When completed, it would add about 130 feet to the arena floor.

The arena would also be able to be temporarily modified back to its current dimensions for rodeo events.

"And for the rodeo and demo derby, we'd still have that white barricade fence like it is now," McMillen said. "It would just be a little wider towards the south."

All three commissioners were in favor of the proposed expansion.

"As long as everything goes back like it is and we can use it for the rodeo, too, I have no objection," District 2 Commissioner Darrell J. Johnson said.

Commissioners then discussed a proposed petition to the City of Sidney to rezone a tract of land at the county fairgrounds from Residential 1 (R-1) to Agricultural.

Brad Rowan, building inspector for the City of Sidney, said the land was rezoned as R-1 for public use years ago, but recommended that it be changed back.

"Because you've got two dwelling units out there plus the possibility of RV hookups," Rowan said. "That way, those RVs could just be incidental use and then you can do what you want to do out there with livestock and all that. We did it years ago and we couldn't figure out why, so we're just trying to clean the house right now."

County Attorney Paul Schaub said while the county fairgrounds are technically outside of the city limits, there is a rule in place under the zoning regulations where property within a two-mile buffer are subject to city zoning regulations.

"There's a legal argument where we can say that we're not, but I don't want to go down that road," Schaub said. "I don't think that it is appropriate in this instance."

Rowan said changing the zoning to agricultural would not limit any construction plans in place at the fairgrounds.

"We just felt this would be the easiest, most compliant way because of cattle, livestock and just the functions that go on out there," he said. "It just makes it clean."

The commissioners voted unanimously to petition for the rezoning change

"I think this is what we need to do," Johnson said. "Get it cleaned up and it'll be done forever."

Also discussed was construction update on the new livestock exhibit barn at the fairgrounds.

The fund for the new building is currently sitting at about $446,400, with an additional $10,000 coming from Union Pacific on May 1.

McMillen said crews have started footing excavation along the north side of the main building last week and are continuing on the south side this week.

"So we'll carry on as long as the weather holds," he said. "It's still winter."

McMillen said he expects the building itself to be delivered this Thursday.

"So we'll unload it on-site and as soon as we're done with the foundation, which should be at least two weeks yet, maybe a little bit longer, then we will start erecting the building," he said.

Johnson said some of the work, such as electrical, would have to be rebid. As far as installation of a dry sprinkler system, his understanding is it would have to happen within the next three years.

"Without it, we'd have to use the building in winter with all the doors open," McMillen said. "And that seems insane to me."

Deputy Fire Marshal Dana Reece said they have to consider worst-case scenario regarding occupancy based on the square footage.

"They set the occupancy at 2,775 people," Reece said. "And then you have to provide an exit for that many people in that building, and that's the issue that arose from that."

Reece said any occupancy over 300 is required to have a sprinkler system in place. He said the building can still be used within the three-year time limit, but it would require someone on-site to conduct a firewatch any time the building is occupied.

"It has to be a single person, and that's the only thing they are doing in that timeframe," he said. "They have to be responsible, know the evacuation procedures, how to call the fire department and understand any hazards that are out there."

Reece said the firewatch would not have to be conducted by an official person.

"As long as somebody's doing it," he said. "If you're a reasonable adult with some common sense, you should be able to do it."

Reece said the person would also need to document the date and time the firewatch was conducted. A firewatch would not be required is the building is housed with just livestock.

For occupancy less than 300 people, Reece said he will still require a firewatch since the guideline works under the assumption as to what the structure can house, not does house.

"If there's somebody out there (alone), I understand that sometimes that's going to happen," he said. "But whenever anybody's out there, if it's a small number, they need to understand the inherent risks of being there."