Improvements continue for fairgrounds

Brian Gailey

Wed Feb 22 2023 20:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Changes, they are a-comin’

Expansion and improvement of services offered by the Klamath County Event Center and Fairgrounds is taking another big step forward in 2023.

Last year, fairgoers benefitted from an initial improvement phase on the grounds. Including the food court expansion on the west side of the grounds. This expansion added more green space for guests and improvements for food vendors. Workers installed a solid foundation of crushed granite on which vendors can park - as well as improved the electrical service. Eliminating the need for generators, improving the overall experience, and reducing emissions.

In addition to the food court upgrades, the digital reader board along South 6th Street was upgraded with a new color LED display. This is the first step in refreshing the most visible side of the fairgrounds.

This year, the fairgrounds will continue upgrades throughout the facility.

Increased advancements to the food court areas will continue this summer. The end goal is to create an event space to hold weddings, flea markets, and other similar outdoor events. According to Event Center Manager Derrick Rowley, these future enhancements are set to include additional restrooms, a pavilion, and expanded green spaces.

Sadly, the Keith Rice Memorial Log has been deteriorating for some time. Fairgrounds staff are formulating a plan to address this issue. Preliminary discussions include dismantling the current memorial before relocating and constructing a more easily accessible memorial for Rice in another section of the fairgrounds.

Infrastructure work will begin on the Exchange Club Park west of the Fairgrounds main entrance. This will include preparations for a city water booster station and leveling of the grounds to accommodate overflow parking and future redevelopment.

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RV Park expansion landscape plan.

With the assistance of the South-Central Oregon Economic Development District (SCOEDD), the Klamath County Event Center & Fairgrounds are currently in the process of expanding the east RV area from the current dozen partial hook-up sites to 48 full-service sites with concrete pads, paved driveways, and sustainable landscaping. Rhine-Cross is overseeing the project. Construction is slated to begin in early April of 2023. Substantial completion of the new RV park by fall of 2023.

“All of these projects stem from the work of the Fair Board and our management team to assess and meet the needs of our current and future community here in Klamath County,” stated Rowley. “These projects are exciting steps to expand the experiences, resources, and opportunities that the Fairgrounds is providing to the community.”