County Fair Board looks to add event center to Commercial Building
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At the Ringgold County Supervisors regular meeting on Monday, November 14, Fairboard member Dr. Keith Miller and Marci Werner met with the Board of Supervisors to discuss improvements on the fairgrounds, namely the commercial building project, that they are raising funds for.
The fair board is planning on a new 80’x40’ addition that would include a licensed kitchen, new restrooms, an office and maintenance storage room, along with a large 40’x40’ common area.
The building would be attached to the existing commercial building and early estimations project 100-125 capacity, with the ability to open into the existing building to increase the capacity to approximately 600 people.
The commercial building has held a handful of weddings recently, along with, most recently, a dueling piano banquet and heat and restrooms were the biggest concern.
“The weddings that have been there like the rustic look.” said Dr. Miller.
Marci Werner added ways they are looking into insulating the building, while also keeping the old look.
“Everyone wants to keep that barn look, the old look,” said Werner. “There’s a couple of people researching some ways we could maybe insulate on the outside and put tin on the outside so we have the old look but it’s still insulated.”
The fair board is joining forces with Ringgold County Cattleman’s Association with a joint committee with four members from each board.
Miller and Werner were asking about ARPA funding availability, while also talking about funds that are already allocated towards the project with the fair contributing $30,000 and the Cattleman’s Association contributing $20,000 and Werner looking toward grants to help fund the projected $450,000 project.
“We have costs of $352,000 and I could easily see that being $450,000.” said Dr. Miller.
Werner agreed, but cautioned the costs could reach into the $500,000 range.
“Even the $500,000. It seems like everything from even the time we quoted it, is higher.” said Werner.
The fair board is looking to open a new account that would allow those donating funds towards the project to make it a charitable donation for tax purposes since the fair is a 501c3.
The Board of Supervisors thanked Dr. Miller and Werner for their time and discussed the project, stating it is a great project.
No decision was made during the meeting as the Board of Supervisors look over availability of funds.
