Fairgrounds’ new building should be ready for state fair

Published 12:01 am Tuesday, January 11, 2011

MONROE — A large, new building should be taking shape soon to replace the recently demolished poultry and rabbit barns at the Evergreen State Fairgounds.

If things go as planned, the $3.4 million, 39,000-square-foot structure should be ready long before the Evergreen State Fair gets underway in August.

In addition to hosting events during the annual fair, the new facility is part of the ongoing effort to increase the fairgrounds’ business appeal. Snohomish County runs the fairgrounds and hopes to make them more profitable with the ongoing makeover, by attracting more conventions, trade shows and sporting events.

“We have a lot more to do there, but it’s a step toward modernizing the facility there,” said County Council Chairman Dave Somers, whose district includes the area.

The new multi-purpose building will be near the horse barns and the food court.

Last week, county leaders approved a low bid for the work from Faber Brothers Construction of Lynden. The company’s $3,434,000 bid was about 12 percent lower than the engineer’s estimate of $3.9 million.

Recovery zone economic development bonds are being used for the project.

Work is expected to wrap up by May, county spokesman Christopher Schwarzen said. Plans call for an open area that is 140 feet wide and 240 feet long with attached restrooms. When completed, it should be one of the largest buildings at the fairgrounds and one of the largest meeting spaces that the county owns.

This year’s fair is scheduled Aug. 25 through Sept. 5.

The fair began in 1908 and has been at the current site since the 1940s. Many of the original buildings still stand. Many look worn out and are expensive to maintain.

“We have a number of aging buildings that are extremely difficult to maintain. We have leaking roofs,” Somers said. “Frankly, those buildings have outlived their useful life.”

The county’s long-term plans call for more improvements at the 186-acre fairgrounds. Since 2009, the county also has been collecting an extra 5 percent admissions fee at the fairgrounds to pay for new buildings. That money continues to accumulate and is not being used for the new multi-purpose building.

For more information on this year’s fair, go to www.evergreenfair.org. To learn more about the fairgrounds, go to www.snocoparks.org.

Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465, nhaglund@heraldnet.com.