County ponders options for fairgrounds uses

Could the Flathead County fairgrounds be used as a recreational vehicle park during the facility’s down time?

The question was posed by county Commissioner Dale Lauman during a Monday morning discussion with new fairgrounds manager Mark Campbell, and the answer was maybe. Campbell said the fairgrounds has some RV hookups, but they would need to be improved and expanded.

Lauman said he had been to Port Townsend, Wash., and had seen firsthand how the fairgrounds there is used as an RV park to generate extra revenue. Commissioner Jim Dupont said Gallatin County Fairgrounds at Bozeman provides space for RVs, too.

Campbell said all multi-use options should be explored for the fairgrounds, but he noted that the county would need to be mindful of how an RV park at the fairgrounds might affect privately owned RV parks.

Lauman reiterated the county’s goal of making the fairgrounds self-supporting, especially with the financial belt-tightening that has gone on countywide over the last couple of years. He suggested tapping local volunteers more heavily for various needs at the fairgrounds, adding that the county would need to address insurance coverage for volunteers before officially launching into a full-scale volunteer effort.

Dupont agreed that volunteers need to be used as a resource.

Campbell said he has been attending Rotary and Lions club meetings in an effort to meet people in the community and get ideas about what they would like to see changed or improved at the fairgrounds.

Campbell began work last month, replacing interim manager Ted Dykstra Jr., who returned to his position on the Fair Board.

Among the immediate projects Campbell is working on are improving the drainage and stormwater discharge at the Trade Center building; addressing and correcting safety items identified by a facility evaluation; and conducting a building assessment to assist with short- and long-term planning.

“I like that you’re doing a needs assessment,” Dupont said. “There have been some improvements made, but obviously more improvements are needed to make [the fairgrounds] more vibrant.”

Campbell said he has been meeting with Northwest Montana Fair department superintendents to review programs and changes for next year’s fair. He also met with contractors for fair-related advertising and marketing services to evaluate the work done this year.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.