Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Several building projects were discussed by the Kosciusko County 4-H & Community fair board Monday, including the possibilities of constructing a facility used primarily by the Kosciusko Community YMCA, weatherizing the 4-H office building and adding on to the show arena.
The 4-H council, which meets tonight, will discuss pouring a cement pad in the show arena and covering it with sawdust during the fair and other events, according to Tracy George of the Extension office.
A new YMCA facility was briefly discussed by the fair board Monday when Extension educator Joan Younce heard that planned improvements to the Home and Family Arts Building were on hold - again. Money for improvements, board treasurer Brent Hoffman said, would go toward the new building.
The Home and Family Arts Building generates $22,000 in rental income each year, with $15,000 of that coming from auctioneering companies, according to Hoffman. The auctioneers would need a place to hold sales first.
Fair Board president Steve Trump said the 4-H office building is too big and too nice not to be available for small meetings. Improvements to make it a year-around building would include the addition of a furnace.
"Last week a 4-H club met with seven members and two leaders in the Home and Family Arts Building and the heat was turned up to heat the whole thing," Trump said. "The 4-H office is the perfect size for that kind of meeting."
Trump also said John Elliott, of the Warsaw Community Development Corp., talked to him about collecting money as a fund-raiser at the fairgrounds entrance prior to the annual fireworks display in July.
Hoffman said he didn't want the fair board blamed for charging an admission fee.
Trump responded that the cost of fireworks and insurance during the display are increasing and he would like to hold the "grand finale" in the track area.
In other business, the board:
• Heard from Trish Marshall that Son of a Sailor, a Jimmy Buffett tribute band, has been scheduled to perform during the fair.
• Heard the fair book should be back from the printer's by April 1.
• Drew names for prizes shown at last weekend's Home and Garden Show: the T-shirt winner is Kenneth Courval, Warsaw; two-week-long fair passes, April Lehman, Pierceton; and two NTPA tractor pull admission tickets, Mary Booker, South Whitley.
Fair board members are: Steve Trump, Roy Bradbury, Elliott Enders, Dan hampton, Dawn Harris, Brent Hoffman, Trish marshall, Jerry Secrist, Joe Secrist, Randy Shepherd and Raymond Truex. Mike Loher was absent.
