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Butler County Fairgrounds to add community buildings

$1 million was borrowed from agricultural society, 400,000 still needed.

Construction of the new facility at the Butler County Fairgrounds, which will include a banquet hall, and facilities for the culinary and arts and crafts exhibits, has been slowed by weather issues.

Staff photo by Greg Lynch Construction of the new facility at the Butler County Fairgrounds, which will include a banquet hall, and facilities for the culinary and arts and crafts exhibits, has been slowed by weather issues.

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By Lauren Pack, Staff Writer 7:37 PM Wednesday, January 25, 2012

The Butler County Fairgrounds is taking on a new look this year with the construction of two connected buildings that will provide a gathering place for the community during fair week and beyond.

Two 100 year-old buildings housing an office and the arts and craft hall, along with an old gas station that was being used as a county fuel depot, were knocked down late last year making way for the new $1.4 million facility.

Despite wet weather, construction is underway with the hope the complex will be completed in time for July’s county fair, according Dan Martin, county fair secretary and manager.

Both the previous office and the hall were in bad shape, according to Kent Taylor, fair grounds treasurer. Instead of putting money into repairing the buildings, the Butler County Agricultural Society decided to invest in the future.

“We wanted to build something on a larger scale and not grow out of it right away,” Taylor said.

The project will have two buildings sitting next to each other in an H shape with a banquet space for up to 400 people and an improved kitchen. Much needed additional rest room facilities will be located in the center. The amount of space will increase by 2,000 square feet to a total of 12,000 square feet.

“It will be more comfortable,” Martin said. He added the goal is to present a well-rounded fair that offers an opportunity for everyone to participate, whether they raise livestock or take photographs.

The agricultural society borrowed $1 million to fund the project and the remaining $400,000 will have to come from donations and grants, Martin said.

Fund raising has been slow-going, Taylor said.

“Sometimes I think if we were building a livestock barn we might get more interest,” he said.

But he noted, the agriculture society felt the facilities had to grow with the needs for the future and to attract more events year round. Taylor said 20 years ago his wedding reception was held in one of the former fairground buildings, but over time that building deteriorated.

And the lack of a blacktopped parking lot also turned off many who might have used the building for a wedding or banquet. Plans call for the new facility to have an additional 100 paved parking spots.

The agriculture society is about $350,000 short of its fund raising goal with about $50,000 being raised as of the beginning of this year, according to Taylor. Fund raising is ongoing, with pavers and plaques being sold for $50.

Additionally, Taylor said the agriculture society has also applied for millions in grant money and are hoping for the best.

“But there are just a lot of people and groups out there wanting grant money,” Taylor said.

If not all funding is raised, Taylor said the paved parking lot, as well as some furnishings and widening of the entry way will have to be put on hold.

Donations can be made to the Agricultural Society building fund, 1715 Fairgrove Ave., Hamilton, OH 45011 or at www.butlercofair.com.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2168 or lauren.pack@coxinc.com.

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