Example of the current state at the Wasco County Fairgrounds fencing, above. Wasco County Board of Commissioners approved two funding packages at the June 10 meeting.
Example of the current state at the Wasco County Fairgrounds fencing, above. Wasco County Board of Commissioners approved two funding packages at the June 10 meeting.
Example of the current state at the Wasco County Fairgrounds fencing, above. Wasco County Board of Commissioners approved two funding packages at the June 10 meeting.
THE DALLES — A viral video circulating social media this week illustrated the importance of fairground safety when a speckled gray bull leaped over an arena fence during a team roping event in Sisters, Ore. According to the Associated Press, the bull injured three people.
This video came up during a discussion at a special meeting of the Wasco County Commissioners June 10, which centered around funding safety and infrastructure upgrades to the Wasco County Fair facilities in Tygh Valley.
Commission Chair Stephen Kramer noted that the fairground’s infrastructure has been “neglected for a number of years.”
Director of Administrative Services Ali Postlelwait echoed this assessment, saying, “Some of the fencing is just held together with bailing twine.”
Example of the current state at the Wasco County Fairgrounds fencing, above. Wasco County Board of Commissioners approved two funding packages at the June 10 meeting.
Contributed photo
The commissioners discussed a bid listing rodeo facility upgrades proposed by the Wasco County Fair Board costing $125,308, as well as a list of $400,000 worth of projects drafted by county staff for additional infrastructure projects at the fairgrounds and the Hunt Park campground.
Commissioner Scott Hege expressed reservation about funding the entire infrastructure package, citing costs. He pointed to an expansion of the septic system for which the needed land hasn’t been purchased. The commissioners also chose not to fund energy-efficient arena lights.
The board approved a $125,308 bid to install upgrades to the rodeo facility, including fencing and grading the arena, replacing roping boxes, adding a permanent stripping chute and replacing and installing new gates.
An additional $243,000 was approved for fairground infrastructure upgrades, including grading and layout for new campsites, installation of conduit for utilities and east road and parking lot lighting.
This additional county funding supplements approximately $1.6 million in grant funding already secured for the infrastructure project.
The board approved 2-1 to contribute money from the county general fund. The single “nay” vote came from Kramer, who wanted to fund all of the infrastructure requests.
Replacement and installation projects slated for Wasco County Fairgrounds.
Contributed photos
Kramer added that a large number of volunteers have offset the upgrade costs, and he thanked them.
“This is our facility,” he said, “and we need to take care of it.”
The Wasco County Fair has been held at its current grounds in Tygh Valley since 1937, when it merged with the South Wasco County Fair.
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