$1.7 MILLION IN FAIR BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS UNDERWAY

When the Central Washington State Fair opens in late September, Fair patrons will notice many new improvements to several of the buildings, including three of the historic centerpiece buildings at State Fair Park.  The Central Washington Fair Association recently accepted bids for some $1.7 million in work that will begin immediately on Pioneer Hall, the Agriculture Building, the Modern Living Building and the Yakima Valley SunDome.

At the three older historic buildings on the grounds; Pioneer Hall, Modern Living Building, and the 102-year-old Ag Building, some $1.3 million in upgrades are set to begin right away.

Among the upgrades and improvements that fairgoers will notice this year include new siding for all three buildings, new doors in all three buildings, a new roof for the Ag Building, new vinyl windows in Pioneer Hall and the Modern Living Building, replace the skylights in Pioneer Hall, and new paint for the exterior of the Ag Building. 

Some interior walls will be added in the Modern Living Building and insulation will be added where needed in all three buildings.

“It is exciting to see these upgrades and improvements get started,” said Fair president and general manager Greg Stewart.  “Our historic buildings are an integral part of State Fair Park and these updates will help keep them beautiful and usable for many more years to come.”

Mountain States of Sunnyside will be in charge of the upgrades to those buildings with work being finished just before the Fair opens on September 24.

At the SunDome, all of the flat sections of the roof will be getting a new membrane and roofing materials.  Local roofing contractor M.G. Wagner will be handling the new roof, which was needed on the 20 year old SunDome because the original roof was beginning to crack and leak.  The roofing project will cost approximately $262,000 and will be done before September.

Also, inside the SunDome, work has begun on finishing the State Fair Room, the large banquet room that sits over the lockers and meeting rooms at the north end of the dome.  The updates, being done by Tri-Ply Construction of Yakima, will basically finish the room by completing the ceiling, lighting, heating, and fixtures. 

“This is going to greatly enhance the appearance of the State Fair Room,” said Greg Lybeck, SunDome manager.  “People will be impressed with how these additions will turn this room into one that is desirable for wedding receptions, banquets, and other special occasions.”

The State Fair Room project will cost $120,000 and should be completed in August.

 All of these upgrades are coming on the heals of the $2.3 million in electrical upgrades that started in April and will be complete in July. 

            Stewart said most of the upgrades won’t be obvious to the majority of visitors to State Fair Park because much of the power, telephone and other electrical is being placed underground.

            A number of new transformers are being installed, and the lighting and electrical is being replaced in all of the barns.

Funding for the upgrades to the buildings including the work to the SunDome, is being paid for by the extension of the hotel/motel room taxes.  Those taxes were used to pay for the SunDome, and the tax was extended until 2015 to help pay for improvements to the buildings at State Fair Park among other things. 

Payment for the electrical upgrades is being funded partially by a $1 million grant from the Economic Development Association.  The Central Washington Fair Association is matching that amount with monies received from the sale of land on the east side of the grounds to the Yakima School District for the site of the Skill Center.  Some help in funding the project also came from the Department of Agriculture.

The public can follow the construction process via photos posted on the website www.statefair.org. 

This year’s Central Washington State Fair is set for September 24 through October 3.  For more information about events at State Fair Park or the Central Washington State Fair go to www.fairfun.com.

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