3/31/14 Fairgrounds, $800,000 short, goes ahead with excavation project

  • By Nick Sabo
  • March 31, 2014
  • 384
                        
SUMMARY: Agricultural society, Harvest Ridge set fundraising goal of $1 million by July A $1.9 million excavating project that will shape the Holmes County Fairgrounds at Harvest Ridge is moving ahead on faith. The Holmes County Agricultural Society has $1.1 million to grade the site of the new fairgrounds, a project awarded to excavating firm Fechko at $1.9 million. The project will move 450,000 cubic yards of earth, preparing the fairgrounds site for buildings, parking lots and other infrastructure. With excavation underway, the agricultural society has set a fund raising goal of $1 million by July 1, a goal set with faith in a community that has supported the new fairgrounds with cash and in-kind donations. Agricultural Society president Kerry Taylor said Fechko is prepared to work until the $1.1 million is used up, or will continue working as funds become available. “They will work to a point where they can finish what they need to do to keep the (excavations) from being left open and exposed to the weather, where they can move on to grass seeding,” Taylor said. Excavation began the week of May 24. The $1 million goal includes seed money for a water and sanitary sewer project, also scheduled for completion this year. The agricultural society has received $550,000 in grants for the water project, which is estimated at $900,000. Taylor said the excavation and water project have been the most difficult segment of fundraising for the new fairgrounds so far. According to Tom Wilke, Harvest Ridge program coordinator, the Harvest Ridge project has received $4.2 million in cash, in-kind pledges and grants. A recent addition to the total is $500,000 secured in the state biennial budget by representative Dave Hall for construction of a 36,000 square feet show arena building. The arena building is estimated at $1 million to $1.5 million. Taylor said there has been a lot of interest from the public in the buildings, with promises of in-kind assistance with construction as well as verbal pledges for cash donations. However, the excavation and water, the “not very glamorous” aspects, Taylor said, have not gotten as much attention. “The support has been there and we are very grateful,” Taylor said. “The response has been very positive when we meet with people. I’m not too worried about the buildings. The challenge right now is to raise the money for the excavation and the water.” The agricultural society’s mission, and the mission of Harvest Ridge, is to construct a facility that is used year-round while providing a safe home for the county fair. The current fairgrounds floods annually, washing out gravel-paved lanes and damaging buildings. A flash flood at the height of the fair could be a disaster. Harvest Ridge, in its final form, will include the new fairgrounds and an exposition center. The expo center would bring in events throughout the year, serving as a commercial draw. The total project, including an expo center, is estimated at $12 million. KUTLINE: Nick Sabo photo An excavator scrapes away earth at the fairgrounds at Harvest Ridge. The $1.9 million excavation project is underway, and the agricultural society hopes to raise $1 million to ensure the project is finished as planned.


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