10/14/2007 9:18:00 AM Fairgrounds moving to Becker
Future site of Sherburne County Fairgrounds, above.
By Ken Francis Contributing Writer
The Sherburne County Fair will be moving from its current site in Elk River to Oak Savanna Park in Becker by 2010.
That was the consensus of the board of commissioners Tuesday after a brief discussion about the timeline.
Administrator Brian Bensen presented the board with a resolution committing the county to relocate the fairgrounds in 2010. The resolution also establishes a committee composed of county commissioners, fair board members, City of Becker representative, citizens and staff to do further research and guide the relocation process.
Bensen said the intent to relocate the fair dates back a number of years to when Bill and Margaret Cox donated the property along Hwy. 25. Since that time, the Historical Society has relocated there, trails have been completed and the new county maintenance facility is under construction. A portion of the property has been designated for the fairgrounds.
Over the past four years, the county has explored a number of options for the new fairgrounds. In 2004, with the help of the Initiative Foundation, the county hired a planner from the University of Minnesota to draw up three different site plans. Last year, a feasibility study was done to gauge other types of facilities that might work in conjunction with the fairgrounds to make the move cost-effective.
"The fair would use the site a week or two out of the year," said Bensen. "We wanted to know what else would be a good use for the expenditure of public funds for year-round use."
The feasibility study explored adding an equestrian center and/or an ice arena to bring in revenue to help pay the cost of construction, operation and maintenance. But no final decision has been made yet. Bensen said it was time to pick a date to make the move.
"The fair board is in a bit of a dilemma. When they look at their current home, how much maintenance should they do?" he asked. "Should they build a new building if they might be moving shortly?"
He said the fair board is requesting that the board establish a timeline to make the move so they have a target date to work with.
"....also with the understanding that this is a county project guided by the county but working with the fair board and other groups," he said.
Commissioner Rachel Leonard suggested amending the resolution to say, "on or before 2010."
"We can shoot for 2010, but it should say it could happen sooner," she said.
Commissioner Felix Schmiesing wanted to make sure there was a clear understanding about the ownership, finances and operation of the entire site.
"I want to see it operate similar to the way we have it with the Historical Society," he said. "I don't want to be looking at a budget increase every year."
Commissioner Ewald Petersen suggested having a contract drawn up by the county attorney regarding the use of the fairgrounds.
The rest of the board agreed. Bensen said he would amend the language of the resolution for next Tuesday's meeting.
