County Commissioners listen to fair board project proposals

WORLAND - Washakie County Fair Board Member Dani Rice came before the Washakie County Commissioners to discuss potential improvements that are needed at the Washakie County Fairgrounds.

The fair board met Aug. 9 to discuss improvements that were brought to light after the 2021 county fair July 26-31.

Rice began by discussing a project to place a concrete floor in the pig/sheep barn, which would include half of the concrete donated and all of the labor being donated. She asked the commissioners to pay for the other 25 yards of concrete which would be approximately $3,500-$4,000.

Tom Schmeltzer of building maintenance said that he likes the idea, but is concerned if there is a hose used in the barn and it would wash out the east entrance, flooding a popular walkway during fair week.

Schmeltzer suggested putting a drain in the middle of the arena and slightly slanting the edges in to avoid any sort of flooding out the east entrance.

The commissioners asked Rice to include that estimate in a future assessment of the project and present it before the commissioners again. They were supportive of the project but wanted to see if they needed to do any of the labor before the pouring of the concrete.

Rice also said that they are planning to include additional pens to complete the barn, but did not have any cost estimates at the time of the meeting.

Rice also discussed the possibility of restoring the white shelves used for displays during fair, and potentially finding a spot indoors for them to fit.

Schmeltzer said that he agreed to spend time in January repairing and restoring the items, and the potential to store the shelving in the pig/sheep barn once the concrete project is done rather than storing them under the roof of the show arena.

Rice also asked about potentially purchasing a smaller travel scale for smaller animals which would need to be certified in order to sell any animals at the fair. She said they would be able to look at a travel scale but would need a place to store/display it during fair, Schmeltzer said they would find a place to make it work.

Rice asked if the fair board members could each receive a set of keys to the buildings at the fairgrounds, which led to a discussion where the county has not always received keys back from members who left the fair board. The commissioners then decided with Schmeltzer that they would re-key the buildings at the fairgrounds.

Rice also inquired about potentially adding more members to the board, but was told that the number is set by state statute. Commissioner Aaron Anderson suggested that they look at forming a group of members that would be able to help with fair week.