Fair board discusses bleachers, future of fair
A request for county assistance to purchase bleachers was delayed until assurance from the City of Hillsboro is obtained that the county fair will remain in Hillsboro.
Marion County Fair Association President Chuck McLinden told Marion County Commission Monday that there were concerns between the fair board and the City of Hillsboro.
McLinden explained that the city owns the land where the fairgrounds are located. The county owns the improvements (buildings, arena, etc.) and the fair association manages the event.
An agreement was drawn in 1972, between the fair association and the city for a 50-year lease for the land.
"The agreement is vague regarding who's in charge of what," said McLinden.
The fair association was not notified when the city decided to build an aquatic center on the fairgrounds. The city also expanded and made improvements to the ball field, located near the fairgrounds, that will limit fair activities.
Last year the city and recreation commission denied the fair association permission to use the outfield area of the ball field. A compromise was met and the carnival was located on that area but the association was told to find another area for the carnival in the future.
"We felt the city was squeezing us out," said McLinden.
The association can continue to use the outfield until all improvements are made. A permanent fence will eliminate campers who traditionally were able to camp close to the livestock buildings.
A carnival has not been booked because of costs for a carnival. McLinden said one carnival demanded a guarantee of $15,000 profit before agreeing to come. He said insurance issues since Sept. 11, 2001, are restricting carnivals to book only larger venues.
McLinden said he met with Hillsboro Mayor Delores Dalke and was assured the city wanted the fair to stay in Hillsboro. He plans to meet with Dalke again next week.
McLinden and fair association member Kurt Spachek said the city was very responsive to other needs — preparation before the fair, maintenance and replacement of utilities as needed — but were concerned about the future of the fair because of the continual reduction of space.
Spachek said the association was on the short end of the 50-year lease and it was time to create a new lease.
The association doesn't know what the impact of the pool located so close to the fairgrounds will have until this summer when the pool opens and the fair occurs.
"The pool cannot be undone," said Spachek, but future decisions should be more thoughtful.
Commission chairman Dan Holub said the county doesn't want to invest in bleachers at a cost of $85,000 at the Hillsboro location if there is a possibility the fair will be moved.
The used bleachers being considered would include the framework, foot plank, elevated walkway, stairs, ramp, and seats. The cost includes installation and would replace bleachers on the east side of the arena.
The association currently is paying for other bleachers at $2,981 per year with three years left on the lease.
Spachek said the ramp would make the bleachers ADA compliant. A kickboard will keep children and objects from falling through the bleachers. A lease schedule at 4.5 and 5 percent interest rates were given to the commission.
Commissioner Randy Dallke asked if the association could pay for the new lease. McLinden said it could but it would be tough.
The association also is looking at other sources of revenue.
Dallke asked if half of the proposed bleachers could be purchased. Spachek said he wasn't sure and would check. He was told there was interest from other fairs to purchase portions of the bleachers. He has a verbal "hold" on the entire set of bleachers and wasn't sure how long the company would be willing to hold them.
Dallke also asked if a county commissioner could attend the meeting between McLinden and Dalke. McLinden said that shouldn't be a problem.
Holub suggested the purchase of the bleachers be tabled until commissioner Bob Hein was present and after Dallke and McLinden meet with Dalke.
