MANSFIELD — There will be a new $1.2 million show arena built at the Richland County Fairgrounds by the time the 2024 fair begins in August.
County commissioners on Tuesday approved the allocation of up to $200,000 from the county’s capital funds to finish the fundraising needs of the group that’s been working on the project since 2018.
The project will provide a new 9,200-square foot building that would provide additional space and safety for spectators and those showing animals, and increase revenue opportunities for the fairgrounds.
The unanimous vote by commissioners came after a brief meeting with David Dick, Christy Keith and Tom Craft, all members of the the Richland County Agricultural Society Board of Directors.
A smiliar group met with commissioners on Jan. 25 and the discussion focused on the possibility of a $300,000 loan through the county treasurer’s office or private lending institution.
Since that meeting, Dick said, the organization has received additional financial contributions and also the promise of a $40,000 HVAC system for the building provided by Milliron Auto Parts.
“Last night, the Senior Fair Board had an emergency meeting to discuss a grant application that we have coming up that we hopefully can fill out March 1,” Dick said. “That will likely cover all of the electrical upgrades we need for the fairgrounds and also provides a transformer accessible to the new building.
“It’s a separate issue. We need the transformer relocated for a variety of reasons. But the board approved that. The board also approved that in the event that anything isn’t covered by the grants for the electrical upgrades that we would use our general or operating budget to cover that.”
He said the group effectively has $1 million in its arena account at this point.
“When we came here last time, we talked about having an (HVAC unit) and that project was kind of like $1.5 million.
“But because we’ve gotten this air conditioner donated, and Tom (Craft) has done a fantastic job with re-engineering a few things, we can put that air conditioner in and have the plan that we envisioned for $1,171,000.
“(Adena Corporation) has a guaranteed maximum (construction) price of $1,200,000. So we’ve got a million dollars in the account,” Dick said. “We are asking for up to $200,000 (from commissioners), but we are hoping it will only be $171,000.”
With the donation’s approval, Dick said officials plan to break ground during early March and have the building complete by August.
“There will be some things we will do with the building after the fair, but it will be up,” he said.
Dick told commissioners the new building will generate revenue through rentals, just like Fairhaven Hall and the Arts & Crafts building.
“This building (will do) the exact same thing, whether it be boat shows, conventions and meetings. We rent the fairgrounds out for MMA fights, different things like that. It’s going to be something that will generate dollars,” Dick said.
“We think it’s going to very profitable for the fairgrounds,” he said.
Commissioner Tony Vero agreed.
“The way I look at it is, it’s a return on investment. You don’t need to even have a stretch to say, ‘Hey, you have an arena that would be one of its kind in the State of Ohio’ that certainly would attract large wedding receptions, big events,” the commissioner said.
Commissioner Darrell Banks said he appreciated the group raising $1 million on its own, “which was very difficult and (done while) everybody else was trying to raise money. You got your million dollars and that’s certainly appreciated.”
Dick said the new arena would be built with its front entrance about 30 feet in front of the current arena on the north side of the fairgrounds.
“It’s gonna take a little bit into the midway, obviously. Some of the vendors are going to get pushed back a little bit more. There’s a lot of grass area that is in front of the hog barn and next to this new building that we will ultimately at some point put asphalt in for more parking, things of that nature,” Dick said.
He said the new structure and its location next to the midway could also attract in fairgoers who have never watched livestock shows in the past.
Dick said the new arena would utilize portable bleachers, which could be configured in different ways, depending on the needs of an event.
