Fair board talks new grandstands again

Palouse Empire Fair board members Monday night discussed long-range plans for the aging arena grandstand which is one of the agenda topics for improving the fairground. Fair directors discussed what approach they could take on the long range project.

Other topics on the fair’s agenda include possible addition of a restroom and upgrades of the septic system, a ticket or pass gate on the west side of the grounds at Gate C, and some type of shade addition for the outdoor performance area in front of the fair’s Wilbur-Ellis Gazebo.

Fair manager Bob Reynolds has also suggested the fair board consider a move of the vegetable display to the Old MacDonald barn entrance area of the grounds. The object of this move would be to gain more space for the animal entries which have increased space demands for the fair.

Discussion of a course of action for the arena grandstands Monday started after Reynolds presented an offer from Leonard Mathia of LM Services, Colfax, to replace the seat and foot boards on the present grandstand for $6,500.

Fair board members noted the new boards would be installed on the present aging steel frame, and the fair now lacks information on the condition of the structure.

The fair’s present grandstands were leased and then purchased from the former Spokane Grand Prix after that organization closed up operations. Installing the grandstands followed failed efforts to get county voters to approve a special levy to construct a new grandstand.

The Grand Prix bleachers were installed 25 years ago after the former wooden structure, which included a curved roof over the seats, was condemned and removed.

The fair board Monday night discussed checking with WSU officials on their plans for the end zone bleacher section which has been scheduled to be removed as part of the development of the Martin Stadium. Fair Manager Bob Reynolds said he will inquire about the WSU bleachers.

The Martin bleachers were believed to be about the approximate size of the fair’s grandstand at Mockonema. Reynolds noted the present grandstand has a capacity of approximately 3,000.

Another suggested source of seating was possible surplus units from a potential redo of Albi Stadium in Spokane where city and Spokane School District officials are now discussing the future of the aging stadium which is still used for high school football games.

Reynolds reported earlier in the meeting that the fair’s aging septic system, which was the cause of restroom shutdowns during the September fair, could undergo a camera scoping operation to determine where problems could be. He also reported the fair is investigating the possibility of installing quick flush toilets to improve the system.

Board member Chad Startin noted he has reviewed a listing of Department of Ecology funding for town sewer systems and suggested the fair could check out that possibility. Startin noted many of the small towns in the area have received DOE assistance.

Reynolds pointed out the fair needs to upgrade its septic system before it can mark any major growth in the future.