Friends of the Waitsburg Fairgrounds

WAITSBURG – The Friends of the Waitsburg Fairgrounds met Oct. 6 with discussions centering around how to best solicit input from everyone using the fairgrounds, and the possibility of using the Don Thomas building as a riding arena.

Citizen Survey

The board opened by discussing an online survey they developed to help pinpoint all of the groups and individuals who use, or would like to use, the fairgrounds facilities. The information will be used to gain an understanding of all the ways the fairgrounds is currently being utilized and how citizens would like to see it used in the future.

Board Chair Lane Hill said she would like to send the survey out by bulk mail to all Waitsburg residents to make sure no one is left out. She said she felt the cost of a mailing was worthwhile in order to connect with people who may not access the survey online. Hill requested that all attendees review the survey and bring suggestions for changes to the Oct. 20 meeting.

Grandstands

Kate Hockersmith said that funds collected for previous fairgrounds stall rentals by city council member KC Kuykendall have been turned over to the city in the amount of $4577.96. The funds, which were earmarked for fairgrounds use, will pay for design drawings of the grandstands which will be used to perform load calculations. The plans will also be included in the release for construction drawings when the renovation project is sent out for bid. The city currently has no drawings for the grandstands.

Make a Difference Day

The board discussed holding their own Make a Difference Work Day at the fairgrounds, since plans for a coordinated work day with a Walla Walla LDS church fell through. After learning that a cross-country meet was scheduled at the fairgrounds on that day, the board opted to hold a separate volunteer work day at a later time.

Fairgrounds Master Plan

Hill said she would like to see a master plan that is a “living document,” and does not lock in specific details. Hill referenced a 25-page fairgrounds plan submitted to the council in 2008 that included items like a skate park and motorized races.

“I really don’t think we’re doing a good job if we think we’re going to build it and they will come. It’s really about trying to get one or two long-term renters, adding some more events to the events we already have, supporting the sports and activities we have going on, and investigating and leaving it to the community to turn it into what they want as opposed to us having a specific agenda,” Hill said. “I don’t want to try and push something through and then have people five years from now saying, ‘Why did they build that out there?’”

Board member Suze Wood said she presented the group’s Equestrian Center Plan at the September city council meeting with the expectation that it would get tabled. However she said she was surprised at the specificity the council was requesting.

“They want a legal document. A draft of a lease that they can sign,” she said.

Wood also addressed two main concerns with the master plan. First, she was uncomfortable investing money into a small start that might never evolve into what it was intended to be. Second, she said she wanted combined use of the facilities, but that it is important to determine what activities cannot be together. For instance, an archery range near the horse stalls.

Don Thomas Building

During the public comment portion of the meeting, discussion turned to the possibility of using the Don Thomas building as an arena, at least temporarily, as has been done in years past.

Equestrian and high school cross-country coach Ann Adams said that the roof leaks, there is a leaky faucet by the door, and the sawdust on the ground is unsafe for the horses.

“All you’d have to do is fix the roof, fix the leak, scrape all the sawdust out, put in some topsoil and work it once in awhile,” she said.

Adams said the building is fairly small but is suitable for providing horses with exercise in the winter and holding smaller events.

Wood suggested that since the Lions Rib Feed, Junior Livestock Show, and Lions Salmon Bake take place between May and September, the sawdust could be removed after the Salmon Bake and the building could be used for winter riding until May, when the sawdust would be replaced.

The board agreed to check into the cost of making the needed repairs and removing the sawdust in the fall and replacing it in the spring.

Long Barn

The board discussed the removal, salvage or rehabilitation of the long barn at the fairgrounds. They decided they needed to get more community input in the decision-making process.

Community members are encouraged to utilize Facebook messaging and posting to communicate questions or information regarding the fairgrounds through these Facebook pages: Friends of the Waitsburg Fairgrounds, RV Tent Camping Waitsburg Washington, or Waitsburg Commercial Club. Or email waitsburgcc@icloud.com, or phone Joy Smith, Waitsburg Commercial Club President at (509) 539-8773.

The next Waitsburg Friends of the Fairgrounds meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 20 at the Ten Ton Press building. The public is invited to attend.