What’s in store for the Lyon County Fairgrounds
Russ Morgan, russ@emporiagazette.com
Friday, September 30, 2011
Lyon County commissioners listened to a presentation Thursday by members of the Lyon County Fairgrounds Improvement Committee about possible plans for future improvements. The presentation came during the commission’s regular action meeting.
During the past 10 months, the committee has met regularly and has developed a five-phase plan for the future of the fairgrounds. The plans were sparked by the commitment of the Clint Bowyer Foundation to build the Bowyer Community Building, a project that is well underway.
Phase one of the plan is the Bowyer Building itself, including aspects from the site preparation to the building, parking, roads and rainwater drainage accompanying it. Phase two, which committee members hope to see beginning soon, includes utilities upgrades to open up possibilities for future improvements, including upgrades for sewer, electricity, water, gas and fiber optic utilities.
“This all started when Clint Bowyer gave his gift of the building,” said Commissioner Rollie Martin, who has been active with the committee. “That was the spark that started this, and I think the flame is starting to get bigger and broader and catching on quite a bit.”
According to Martin, members of the county commission requested volunteers to take part in the improvement committee about a year ago, and since then they have been working toward a vision of the future of the fairgrounds. Martin himself has acted as a sort of facilitator for the 12-member committee. Committee members Brian Keith and Steve Haught gave the committee’s presentation.
“The process has become to develop this in stages,” said Keith about the committees phased plan. “You have to complete one step before you can go on to the next.”
Future hoped-for improvements include a facelift for the Anderson building, ideas for an exhibit pavilion and arena and a possible civic arena.
“With the myriad of things that go on at the fairgrounds, this is an opportunity to invest in our future,” Haught said. “... Everyone uses the fairgrounds, and so in no sense are they underutilized, but there are some real needs in this acreage.”
Haught and Keith, along with Lyon County Zoning and Flood Plain Manager Sam Seeley, showed commissioners a detailed image of the fairgrounds showing possible improvements, including improvements to parking areas and widened entrance and egress areas to allow for easier access, particularly for large vehicles and trucks pulling trailers.
Members of the committee weren’t at the commission meeting to ask for funding, but to urge the commission to start looking at possibilities for the future of the fairground.
“The fairgrounds are the second most-used facility in Lyon County outside of the Civic Auditorium,” said Martin, noting that the Anderson Building alone has over 105 scheduled activities for this year.
Possibilities for funding include a countywide sales tax, an option Commission Chairman Scott Briggs said would be a possibility for a future vote for the public.
“That’s something we’re going to start looking at in the upcoming months,” Briggs said, adding that the commissioners have some work to do in straightening out the details. “Whatever happens, I do think investing in the fairgrounds would be an investment in our future.”
In other business, commissioners:
• Approved a resolution to post yield signs at the intersection of Roads J7 and 215.
• Approved the purchase of approximately 800 feet of used 20-inch steel casing at $26.50 per foot from Frank Black Pipe & Supply Company for an estimated total of $21,200 for use in building road culverts.
• Approved County Engineer Chip Woods to attend the 36th annual KAC Conference Nov. 13th to the 15th for the $220 registration fee and related expenses.
b3bill (anonymous) says...
Here we go, local government officials just can't get rid of the idea of taxing and taxing. I'm tired of it.
If they want a special tax for the fair grounds funding, how about levying it on everything sold on the fair grounds property, and leave the rest of us alone?
Contrary to what Haught said, not "everyone" uses the fair grounds. Some of us haven't been there in years. "Everyone" isn't on the edge of their seats in waiting to pay a bunch of tax money to be spent at the fair grounds.
What is wrong with the Fair Board raising money for these projects they want to do and then doing them after the money is raised?
The County has already spent a ton of tax money pertaining to this Boyer building. That should be a plenty. The fair grounds needs to be self-supporting.
September 30, 2011 at 2:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
I would like to know what " Future " everyone is talking about ?
Our local leaders talk as if the " Future " is absolute and cut in " Stone " ! Well, I have news for them, the " Future " is not absolute nor can you predict it or control it, no matter how much you tax the people or spend or plan for the " Future " ! As a matter of fact, for every penney you raise the tax, you lessen the aspect of every taxpayers individual future survival as well as the Couny and Citys as well and the same goes for spending . Especially, now, in these depressed economic times !
AAJMO
September 30, 2011 at 2:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
landinkansas (anonymous) says...
Put it to a vote, let the majority decide.
September 30, 2011 at 3:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
CHEESE AND RICE !
Get out there and fundraise. Put some damn work into it. People sure like to spend money, they just don't want to work for it.
GO AHEAD AND PUT A SALES TAX TO A VOTE.
What I spend fighting a sales tax increase would have made a nice donation for the fairgrounds.
CHEESE AND RICE !
September 30, 2011 at 3:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
AND A HEADS UP.
ANY, ANY commissioner that signs off on a sales tax vote, I will actively campaign for and support their opponent in the next election.
Enough is Enough.
September 30, 2011 at 3:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fedup101 (anonymous) says...
I don't call a building that cost almost $800,000 much of a gift. Why didn't they ask Bowyer to donate money instead instead of that building. Oh yeah, because you he couldn't put his name on the money. If the rest of the grounds now suddenly need upgraded, that is where the money being used to build that building should have gone. That building will be about half as useful and the quonset huts were. In my opinion nothing should be done to the fairgrounds. They are getting run down just like the rest of the city. Why waste the money. Noone in town will be able to afford to do anything out there anyway the way the economy is dropping and the costs are climbing
September 30, 2011 at 4:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
If this committee has met for 10 months, surely they have a chairperson, secretary, etc. If they have a list of improvements that need to be done is a prioritized list with general cost estimates?
Any attempt at fund raising from them? I mean besides a couple of blurbs on the radio and newspaper? I know I haven't received a call or letter from them.
Why not use the same fund raising model as the Grananda Theater or Hetlinger or the Arts Council. Why should a tax be the first choice of financing?
Instead of ten months of figuring out what improvements the fairgrounds need, 10 months should have been spent planning and doing some private fund raising.
September 30, 2011 at 5:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Fund raising is a little more difficult, because people can just say " NO " !
However, when the voters are duped into voting yes to a sales tax raise or any tax raise or just don' t care enough to get out and vote no to increase sales or any other tax increase or to needless unnecessary spending , then everyone has to " pay the piper " so to speak as well as pay for unneeded, unwanted " Stuff ", that is rammed down everyones' throat anyway
AAJMO
September 30, 2011 at 6:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
If it is a good and needed cause, the people in the Emporia area will support it. We always have, if given the chance.
It's been proven time and again that given the chance, people will step up with private donations.
Why not do a little work on that instead of first talking about a tax increase?
September 30, 2011 at 7:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
All I see in the future is more taxes for the few who stay in Emporia
September 30, 2011 at 9:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pingeon (anonymous) says...
Typical. Get a temporary tax expired and before it even goes away, they are already talking about putting it back in. The sales tax rate where I live is 7.3% and that is ridiculous. I can't believe Emporia ever got their above 8%.
September 30, 2011 at 9:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Wichitawings (anonymous) says...
I think that the people who use the fairgrounds should be the ones who pay for the improvements. If you must come up with funds through a tax, then quit making it a "Free Fair" charge admission, put a tax on the vendors who peddle their stuff, put a cost for showing animals, add a tax to the grandstand events, charge for parking. These are the things that could be used to raise funds. We have the hotel/motel tax for that usage and call it tourism tax, then do the same for the fairgrounds. Don't put the burden on the already overtaxed people of Lyon County, many of whom do not even go to the fair, for it rinky-dink carny rides and games.
October 1, 2011 at 8:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Pingeon,
Denial is alive and well here in Emporia and Lyon County.
Continuous pleas for the Salvation Army food pantry, the United Way drive telling us the need now is greater than ever, and yet our bozo elected officials are talking about raising the sales tax rate back up for improvements.
Not necessities mind you, but things to improve the look of the fairgrounds.
Improving the fairgrounds is not a bad idea, but doing it now with tax money makes no sense to any logical thinking person.
Did you know there are only 15 counties, (out of 105 in Kansas), that have a lower mean wage for it's citizens? Over 60% of the students in our schools get free or reduced lunches because of our poverty rate here.
The county just raised its mil-levy and is now talking about a sales tax increase. It seems the current commission really does not understand. I don't know why they don't but maybe the next commission will.
It sure is getting harder to say, "It's a great day in Emporia".
October 1, 2011 at 8:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
OR just let the fair go, don't pay for exhibits, no more 4H, no kiddie rides. Demo derby moved to roundabout. Then just stop having a county fair. The Boyer Barn will be a nice office & meeting place for the Salvation Army as E.T. willed it Maybe you need to just clean it up & invest a little, I know where you can get some big ROCKS to crush for parking lot gravel... Fund raisers & donations, NO NEW TAXES !!
October 1, 2011 at 8:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
As, I have said numerous times, our local City, County Commissions/Commissioners, et. al, such as RDA, CVB, BUILDING FUTURES, SCHOOL BOARD, etc. are severly addicted to a spending beyond sensible, sane parameters and continue to try and change those parameters, via a continued increase in their " Spend, then Tax " addiction .... which the citizen taxpayers of the City of Emporia/Lyon County area are quickly becoming or are already unable to " AFFORD " !
But, " These Spend and Tax ADDICTS " don' t seem able or capable of understanding that they, the City/County Commissioners, RDA,CVB, BUILDING FUTURES, et. al , are the ones who are killing Emporia, the County and the immediate area, via their " Addiction " to spending more, needlessly, than they or the people can possibly afford, but continue to keep the " People " in continues debt, poverty and a " State of Escaping or trying to Escape " the " Addiction " of our/their " addicted " leaders .
And believe me " Spending other peoples money and then demanding more via increasing taxes, public service fees, etc. " is absolutely an " Addiction "
of sorts and quite possibly a definate " Killer of Individual Dreams/Futures " !!
AAJMO
October 1, 2011 at 11:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Most of us have been saying this all along, that they'd find a way to tax us yet again, ever since we learned that the courthouse was nearly paid for. Well, here we are screaming. Again. And again. They don't care. We don't represent the majority in their view, just a handful of dissenters. It will take huge crowds over and over again.
October 1, 2011 at 5:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )