Volusia County Fairgrounds Master Plan Research Project

F. Existing Facilities Assessment The Research team (UF | CHU and Fairground stakeholders) toured the facilities on April 15th 2022, to observed the existing fairgrounds complex, document the existing conditions of the facilities, including the grounds and parking areas, the buildings, circulation and public space provision, and the infrastructural and landscape aspects. It was a very instructive visit, as the team was able to bring to the general attention not only the real conditions on the grounds, but also the qualified assessment of the partners and stakeholders.

1. Overall appearance and conditions of site, buildings, and grounds a. Adequacy of existing spaces for Fair and other public event functions - The conditions of the site are good but given the excellent location and its potential for improvement, the site offers great promise to achieve a much higher performance in activities and appearance.

- The condition of the existing buildings is excellent, denoting very careful maintenance of the well equipped interior spaces. except for the Farm Bureau Building, which requires a new roof due to leaking issues. The existing facilities can host the fair and other activities that are historically developed in the grounds. (Fairs, Farmers market etc.)

- New activities that have been performed in the last five years though, require the addition of new venues to adequately provide the space for their execution. These would include, among others, the ONE HEALTH outlook towards the pandemic conditions and provisions site, the energy conservation and generation new standards, the Risk Mitigation and Sustainability education, Water conservation and management, the Conservation and enjoyment of Ecologically Significant tracts in the County and adjoining counties. b. Conditions of existing space relative to competitors.

- We refer as competition, other Fairgrounds in the vicinity, being them, state or County operated. It is important to note the superior provision of enclosed serviced space of the Volusia Fair grounds in comparison with others fairs. The acreage of the VCF is superior to most and aiming at a higher role given the location (Population and accessibility, as well as co-adjutant attractions), it would be desirable to enlarge the grounds, acquiring adjoining parcels.

See Annex A for Volusia County Property Boundaries See Annex B for Fairgrounds Ownership Map 67