Fairgrounds Pavilion to Receive New HVAC, Insulation

DAYTON-A new HVAC system is going in at the pavilion building at the Columbia County Fairgrounds. The project is on target for completion by May 26, according to Public Works Director, Andrew Woods.

Contracts have been awarded to two firms, Woods told the county commissioners at their meeting last week.

"The bids were great. Bids came in pretty much what we expected," he said.

Woods said College Place Heating and Air Conditioning will be supplying the heat pump and ducting, at a cost of $21,400. Smith Insulation of Walla Walla was awarded the contract for insulation, and the cost for that should come in at less than $50,000 Woods said.

The total cost for the project is estimated at roughly $75,000, Woods said.

Funds for the project are from a grant through the State Department of Agriculture in the amount of $54,000, from the Columbia Rural Electric Association in the amount of $10,000, with a $10,000 matching contribution from the county rural excise sales tax fund, and from the fair board which has recently received a $1,500 donation from the Northwest Farm Credit Services' Rural Community Grant Program, Woods said.

If administrative costs are kept low, the County contribution could be lower, Woods told the commissioners.