Fairgrounds foundation projects

Page 10 - Agriculture Magazine, September 2020

Ravalli County Fairgrounds Foundation has long list of projects

Joy Mc Clur e President, Ravalli County Fairgrounds Foundation Inc.

The Ravalli County Fairgrounds Foundation, Inc. primary purpose is to provide a facility and program venue that encourages agricultural, social, educational and cultural opportunities for the enrichment of the community. These objectives will be funded through public contributions, which will provide a continuing program of expansion and facility/grounds improvements.

The Foundation has always been there in the background, lending a helping hand for a multitude of projects. The foundation has supplied funding for landscaping, helped with replacing the rotting fascia on all of the barns, upgrading the sprinkler system, funding for new well houses, re-planting of trees and many other small projects that might have gone unnoticed.

This year we helped secure funding for the handicap platform in front of the grandstands. This handicap platform has been on the Fairgrounds Wish List for a very long time. AARP granted us $5,000 to be used for removable seating and skirting for the platform. In the past anyone seated in the handicap area had a view that looked through chain link fencing and cattle panels. Not much of a view to say the least. As the Fairgrounds are now being used more and more this platform will be an important added improvement.

Projects slated for the future:

1. Designated Storage for all Fair props, livestock panels, livestock cages and related equipment. Currently we have to move items in and out of different buildings as the buildings are rented out for use.

Pavers are available to support the fairgrounds.

photo PROVIDED

2. If the Fairgrounds had a designated storage area all Barns and Buildings could be rented out. 3. Insulating all Barns and Buildings so that they can be rented out year round instead of only 6-8 months of the year. 4. Underground sprinkler system. The system in place at this time requires a maintenance person 4 hours to move the system to the next settings. 5. More lighting. We desperately need improved lighting in both parking lots and around the Fairgrounds itself. 6. Upgrade Food Row. It’s in desperate need of a facelift.

The Ravalli County Fairgrounds Foundation, Inc. has one constant revenue stream: The Commemorative Paver Program.

The Pavers are the highlight of the South entrance to the Fairgrounds. As you walk across the pavers notice the number of engraved pavers. There are Business Names, Fair Families of the Year, Memoriam Pavers, Pavers bearing the names of Shriners and 4-H’ers of the past and many of the old ranching families.

If you would like to be a part of this program, please call the Fair Office at 363-3411 for more information. The Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization and gifts are tax deductible.