Scott Williams, swilliams@wolfrivermedia.com
Leader File Photo The existing Junior Fair Building on the Shawano County Fair grounds needs a new roof, lighting, insulation and more, according to a county funding request.
Contributed Photo As shown in a rendering, the improved Junior Fair Building would be transformed with repairs and a new red-and-green exterior.
Shawano County Fair boosters are trying again to attract county funds to remodel a building that, for many families, is the center of attraction throughout the fair.
If funding is approved, the Junior Fair Building would get an overhaul next year to include a new roof, doors, lighting, insulation and painting.
The project would cost an estimated $170,000, of which the county is being asked to provide $125,000.
A previous county funding request to make improvements in 2016 stalled after officials determined that it had come too late in the county’s annual budget-making process.
With the 2017 budget just getting started, county leaders are sounding optimistic about identifying funds this time around for the building.
“I would hope it’s a popular project,” County Supervisor Randy Young said. “I’d be all for backing that project.”
County Board members will get their first look Wednesday at a list of projects for which funds are being requested under the county’s capital spending plan for 2017.
Along with the Junior Fair Building, the list includes such proposals as $130,000 for a new shelter at Waukechon County Park, $90,000 to resurface a section of the Mountain Bay Trail, $65,000 to build a new highway storage shelter, $35,000 to install new equipment in the county jail kitchen, $33,000 for playground equipment at Sunset Island Park and $26,500 to upgrade county courthouse security video, among many others.
A committee will review all the proposals, starting Wednesday, and send recommendations to the County Board later this year.
For 2016, the County Board approved about $460,000 in capital spending as part of an overall county budget of $51 million, which included $15.4 million in property tax collections.
The county fairgrounds is owned by the county, but managed by the private Shawano County Agricultural Society. The society has agreed to raise $45,000 for the Junior Fair Building improvements if the county will allocate $125,000.
Dale Hodkiewicz, president of the agricultural society, said although the 50-year-old building “isn’t going to fall down,” some repairs and upgrades are needed.
“We want to keep the place looking nice,” he said. “It’s functional — it just needs some tender loving care.”
Also sometimes known as the 4-H Building, the structure is home to 4-H club members and their families throughout the county fair, which takes place from Aug. 31 to Sept. 5 this year.
In addition to structural repairs and upgrades, plans call for repainting the exterior in bright red and green colors.
It is the only capital spending proposal submitted by the University of Wisconsin-Extension office and endorsed by the County Board agriculture committee.
County Supervisor Marvin Klosterman, a member of the committee, said he plans to advocate funding for the project in capital spending priorities for next year. Noting the Junior Fair Building’s high-profile location on the fairgrounds, Klosterman said the building should be improved.
“That’s one of the focal buildings on the fairgrounds,” he said. “That would really enhance the looks of the fairgrounds.”