09/01/2026
🛠️ Fairgrounds Project Update!
There is a LOT happening behind the scenes at the Curry County Fairgrounds & Event Center right now, and I wanted to share an update on some of the projects we have been working on!
Many of these projects have been in the works for quite some time, and it is exciting to finally see progress happening throughout the grounds.
🔨 NEW FENCING
Our new fencing project is scheduled to begin September 21! This project has been in the works for over a year, and we are very excited to finally get it underway. The fencing will be replaced throughout the Fairgrounds and will be a huge improvement for both security and the overall appearance of the facility.
🚻 ARENA RESTROOMS
The Arena restrooms have been an ongoing project for about a year. We were able to get the plumbing repaired in time for Fair, but the existing stalls were not ADA accessible.
New stalls were ordered before Fair and have now arrived! Two existing stalls will be converted into one larger ADA-accessible stall. Since the old stalls had to come out anyway, we decided it was the perfect opportunity to give the bathrooms a little facelift. They are currently getting fresh paint, the floors will be cleaned and buffed, and then the new stalls will be installed.
🔥 ARENA FIRE & LIFE SAFETY
Our Facilities Maintenance Director and I recently walked the grounds with the Fire Marshal to review egress and other safety concerns. During that walkthrough, I learned that the Arena has been on fire watch for approximately three years.
We immediately began contacting contractors to evaluate the system and provide bids to get this issue corrected. We have met with one contractor, have another scheduled, and are working on scheduling with a third.
🪟 DOCIA SWEET HALL WINDOWS
Shortly before Fair, one of the second-floor windows in the Docia Sweet Hall actually fell out. Because the remaining windows were the same older single-pane style and also needed replacement, we chose to address all of them rather than replace just one.
We are happy to report that the new windows were installed last week!
🐄 LIVESTOCK BUILDING
The RFP for new siding and doors on the Livestock Building expired without receiving any bids. Staff is now working with Legal Counsel and Facilities Maintenance to determine the best approach for reopening the process and moving this much-needed project forward.
🚪 ARENA DOORS
We have also started researching replacement doors for the Arena. Nearly all of the existing doors are broken, damaged, or nonexistent. Because these doors are part of the Arena's emergency egress system, this isn't as simple as purchasing standard replacement doors. We need to make sure the proper doors, hardware, and life-safety requirements are addressed.
This will likely be another significant TLT capital improvement project, but it is an important and necessary one.
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There are a lot of moving pieces right now, and not every improvement is something you can immediately see when you drive by. Our priority is making the Fairgrounds safer, more accessible, secure, and functional so we have a solid foundation for bringing more events and activities to our community.
The Fairgrounds experienced many years of deferred maintenance, and there is no quick fix for everything that needs attention. We are working through these projects one at a time, doing the research, getting professional input, and making sure we do things the right way rather than putting temporary fixes on larger problems.
We still have a long way to go, but progress is happening! I am excited to continue sharing these improvements with our community as we work toward the future of the Curry County Fairgrounds & Event Center. 💙
