Page 8 - Flathead Beacon // 8.13.14

8 | AUGUST 13, 2014 NEWS FLATHEADBEACON.COM Fairgrounds Ready for Big Week
Just
Sayin’...
“Democrats need to push the reset button, and if they do that properly, they can beat Steve Daines. It might be a candidate that Democrats are talking about but is new to the public.”
Former Democratic U.S. Rep. Pat Williams, discussing the party’s search for a new U.S. Senate candidate following John Walsh’s decision to back out of the race.
“I just don’t think, given where we are, that a Democrat is going to have much of a chance. I won’t say no chance, but it’s going to be extremely slim.”
David Parker, a political analyst at Montana State University, describing the chances of a new candidates upsetting Rep. Steve Daines in the November Senate race; the Democrats will name the new contender Aug. 16
“That was a heckuva throw on that touchdown.”
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning remarking on Kalispell native Brock Osweiler's 34-yard touchdown pass in Denver's preseason victory over Seattle last week.
with New Infrastructure
Grandstands have double the ADA- seating, new surfaces for fairgoers
By MOLLY PRIDDY of the Beacon
The Flathead County Fairgrounds are headed for their busiest time of year with the Northwest Montana Fair running from Aug. 13 to Aug. 17, and the thousands of fairgoers expected to attend will notice some differences on the grounds this year.
Construction crews recently finished up the first phase of in-depth infrastruc- ture projects on the south end of the grounds, where they replaced the storm drainage, sewer, gas and water lines and poured fresh, level asphalt along what used to be dirt walkways.
"These projects started several years ago in terms of planning," fairgrounds manager Mark Campbell said.
Another major aspect of this con- struction phase was the collection of improvements made to the fairgrounds grandstands, which received a new roof on all three levels; new LED lighting with an emergency backup system that pow- ers the lights for an extra 45 minutes if the power goes out; and crews also paint- ed the metal under-structure of the roof and the girders, which was the first time they’ve gotten a fresh coat of paint since the stands were built over 90 years ago.
But perhaps one of the most notice- able new aspects for the grandstands is the new seating that complies with ADA regulations. New concrete ramps lead to plenty of seating space with great views of the action in the arena.
"This is twice the space we had be- fore," Campbell said, surveying the new seating as crews worked into the after- noon last week.
Campbell said one of the most exciting new programs at this year's Northwest Montana Fair is a partnership with Flat-
Construction continues on the grandstands at the Flathead County Fairgrounds. MOLLY PRIDDY | FLATHEAD BEACON
head Valley Community College, in which FVCC will present in the Expo building various demonstrations about its profes- sional programs.
Thursday, Aug. 14, teachers and stu- dents from the nursing and healthcare program will be presenting, followed by arts and technology on Friday, and the culinary arts on Saturday.
"We entertain people and we feed peo- ple, but I like to teach them while they're here," Campbell said of the fair.
Also, for the first time in its 112-year history, the Flathead County Fairgrounds has taken on a business sponsor in White- fish Credit Union. It's a partnership that will last throughout the year, Campbell said, and it will benefit both parties.
The credit union will benefit from reaching out to the community, he said, and the fairgrounds will receive mone- tary support for improvements and pro-
grams.
One of the first benefits the public
will see of this relationship will be ticket sales at Whitefish Credit Union locations, where instead of paying $5 for a fair entry ticket, they can purchase an entry ticket for $3.
The fairgrounds will undergo con- struction for phase two of the under- ground infrastructure project soon, Campbell said; he expects the project to go out for bid in the fall.
But until then, the focus is preparing the grounds for the onslaught of family fun that is the Northwest Montana Fair, and though crews were still working away with less than a week to go, Campbell was sure the grounds would be ready.
"We're going to make it," he said.
For more information on the fair, visit www.nwmtfair.com.
[email protected]
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