Lewis County invests in 'fresh coats of fun, functionality and funding' for the SWW Fairgrounds
Lewis County is investing in a series of projects designed to improve accessibility, infrastructure and visitor experiences at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds while supporting year-round use of the facility, according to a Tuesday news release from the county.
The county is investing in "fresh coats of fun, functionality and funding," the news release proclaimed.
Several of the projects are funded through grants and other outside funding sources.
Access to the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds will be limited the next few months. Visitors will still have access to their rented venues and the fair office, but many portions of the fairgrounds, including the Midway, will be closed to the public.
Projects and improvements are as follows:
-The Midway Drainage and Repaving Project, which kicked off June 15, addresses long-standing drainage challenges in one of the busiest areas of the fairgrounds. The project will improve conditions for fairgoers, vendors and exhibitors while protecting infrastructure from future weather-related damage. Highlights include installing new stormwater collection and drainage systems; repaving of heavily used pedestrian and vehicle areas; reducing standing water and flooding concerns; improving accessibility and safety; lowering long-term maintenance costs; and enhancing appearance and functionality.
-The Friendlyville Improvements Project will transform one of the fairgrounds' most popular family areas into a more accessible, welcoming and functional space, the news release from the fairgrounds announced. The county expects to break ground in mid- to late August. The Friendlyville project is designed to improve connections between attractions while making it easier for visitors of all ages and abilities to navigate the area.
Lewis County has secured outside funding for several fairgrounds projects, helping modernize facilities while reducing the burden on local taxpayers, the release stated.
These include:
-Friendlyville: $250,000 from the Washington state Department of Agriculture (WSDA) to repair and repave the highly-traveled Friendlyville area.
-4-H Barn: $237,500 from the WSDA for roof repairs and structural work at the 4-H Barn (plus $250,000 for the swine area in 2022).
-Equestrian Center: $199,820 from the Washington state Department of Commerce to design a state-of-the-art facility for year-round equestrian events, such as horse shows, rodeos, etc.
-Water: $1,000,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant funding plus an additional $250,000 in ARPA grant funding from the City of Centralia to repair and replace the water system.
Highlights include:
-Constructing ADA-accessible pathways
-Remedying pedestrian circulation
-Improving access to family attractions and exhibits
-Upgrading utilities and infrastructure
-Enhancing safety and accessibility
-Creating space to support educational and family programming
Additional projects will help modernize the fairgrounds and ensure the facility can continue supporting a variety of events throughout the year.
Investments include:
-Water, sewer and electrical improvements
-Building preservation and maintenance
-Improved traffic flow and site access
-Upgrades that support year-round events and rentals
While the annual fair may be the crown jewel, the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds serves the community far beyond its August fanfare, hosting agricultural exhibitions, trade shows, concerts, youth programs, sporting events and private rentals throughout the year, the news release stated.
Upcoming events include (dates in parenthesis):
-June: Barn Bash (20) and South Sound Roller Derby (27)
-July: Rebel Rabbit Show (11), Centralia Fantasy Festival (11-12), Chehalis Valley Amateur Radio (25)
-August: Southwest Washington Fair (11-16), Washington State Garlic Fest (21-23)
-September: Timberland Valley Dog Show (9-13), Paint recycling event (19), Liberty Firearms and Blade Expo (19-20) and Country Chicks Fall Market (25-26)
-October: Fall Garage Sale and Swap Meet (10), Repair and Sustainability Fair (10) and Lewis County Model Railroad Train Show (17-18)
These projects represent long-term investments in a valuable public asset and help position the fairgrounds for continued success as a destination for agriculture, entertainment and community events, the news release stated.
Goals include improving accessibility, modernizing aging infrastructure, expanding year-round event opportunities, enhancing visitor experiences, and supporting agriculture, tourism and economic development the county stated.
"The Southwest Washington Fairgrounds is much more than the home of the annual fair," Fair and Events Coordinator Fionna Valezquez said in the release. "These investments help preserve an important community asset while creating new opportunities for agriculture, tourism, entertainment and economic development. Our goal is to ensure the fairgrounds remains a place where people gather, celebrate and create memories for generations to come."
Learn more at https://southwestwashingtonfairgrounds.org.
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