Commissioners question fair building timeline

NORWALK — Huron County Commissioners are considering taking the progress of the proposed new fairgrounds building slowly, after closer consideration of the issue. "I hate to poke the bear," said Commissioner Terry Boose, "but lots of people are asking me about the building at the fairgrounds." Commissioners heard a report July 27 on the progress of the planned Huron County Fairground building honoring the Feichtner family. At that time, Roger Hunker, a member of the Feichtner Memorial Charitable Fund Committee, and long-time family friend, went before the board to detail plans to erect the structure. The building, estimated at $1.4 million and designed at 23,000 square feet, is to include an open main space of 100 x 200 feet, with an outside lean-to. The lean-to will put under roof an area for exhibitors to store tack and other items, Hunker had said. Hunker detailed that the buildings currently used for hogs, chickens and rabbits will be torn down after this year's Huron County Fair and that site preparation activities for the new building will begin in the fall. Construction is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2023. After having had time to absorb Hunker's information, the board questioned the validity of establishing the building's plans, without putting the project out for bid, as the state of Ohio requires for all county construction projects of $50,000 or more. Hunker said the Huron County Fair board had approved the plan, based on the assumption that the action was prequalified because the building was sourced through Sourcewell, a state-approved community purchasing program. "We're still in limbo on this," said Huron County Assistant Prosecutor Randy Strickler, who advises the board of commissioners on legal matters. Strickler said he understood the issue is to come up at Thursday's meeting of the fair board, where it is expected that the board will rescind its original motion to approve the project. Strickler and the board expressed their continued support for the project, but said that the matter must be properly implemented. "I understand they want to get it done," said Strickler, adding, "It's got to be done right." Board Vice President Harry Brady echoed Strickler's comments. "I'm all about doing it, but I'm about doing it right," he said. Brady also questioned the plan's proposed timetable, noting that the destruction of the existing structures might be premature, given the tenuous nature of construction completions. Brady said that if the old buildings are gone and the new building is not completed on time for the 2023 fair, the results could be disastrous. Hunker said the committee and board have also considered slowing their approach. "We're checking on stuff as to what we have to do," Hunker said. After the 2021 COVID-19-related death of lifelong Huron County farmer and cattleman John Feichtner, his grandsons, Owen and Nash, themselves frequent livestock exhibitors, began a funding campaign to build the new barn in John's memory. Tragically, in the fall of 2021, John's wife, Donna, died, with Owen perishing in a car crash later the same day. Interested parties, family members and friends throughout the Huron County community rallied to continue the building effort. Hunker had reported that the project received private contributions and a substantial grant from the state of Ohio, due to the efforts of State Rep. Dick Stein, (R-Norwalk), and still awaits additional money from the community and other sources. It is hoped the building will draw various programs throughout the year, including multiple livestock shows.