Fair board asks for assistance with dirt work at fairgrounds
Marion County Fair Board Chairman Chuck McLinden and Ricky Roberts of Marion County Extension reported Monday to Marion County Commision that dirt needed to be removed and replaced at the arena on the Marion County Fairgrounds in Hillsboro.
McLinden said the fair board had received complaints last year from some horse show participants about the condition of the arena after it was used for demolition derbies. Pieces of metal, glass, plastic, and other potentially dangerous items were believed to have been in the soil, even though the fair board did the best it could in cleaning the arena following the derbies.
The fair board reviewed several proposals and the most practical way to address the issue, McLinden said, was to replace 18 inches of dirt in the arena.
The arena has been used for demolition derbies for more than 30 years and no one is aware of the dirt ever being replaced.
"There's dirt available near Lehigh," McLinden said, but the fair board wasn't sure how it would manage removing the dirt from the arena and hauling new dirt to the site.
"We're asking for assistance from the county," he said.
McLinden said the fair board had the financial capacity to purchase dirt, if necessary, and sand but funds were not available for hauling.
The work needs to be done between May 29 and June 18 because a demolition derby was planned in May and a horse show after June 18.
Commission Bob Hein asked what's going to happen to the dirt after the derby? McLinden said the fair board had discussed new methods of cleaning up after each heat during the derby and then after the derby.
In the past, a berm was made with dirt for the derby. If proper equipment is used in-between heats and the area is cleaned thoroughly before the berm is spread out, it should be sufficient.
"This is the place to start with new dirt and better cleaning," McLinden said.
Dallke asked if any farm trucks would be available to help haul the dirt. McLinden said that may be possible.
The City of Hillsboro had unofficially authorized an area on the edge of town that could be used for the old dirt. Dallke suggested the fair board go directly to Hillsboro City Council to get permission.
Roberts said the new dirt could be piled outside the arena if county workers could not comply to the time frame.
"I'd like to see the arena improved and use county workers to assist," Hein said.
The commission was in agreement to have the county assist. Later in the meeting, the commission informed Jim Herzet, the county public utilities director, about the request.
Herzet said the time frame the fair board had requested was during the time county workers were doing blade patching on roads. He said it would be helpful if farm trucks could be used.
