Hayes County opens new exhibit hall

HAYES CENTER -- Hayes County residents have already used the new exhibit hall/community building on the fairgrounds in Hayes Center.

Hayes County Agricultural Society members officially opened the new 60x80-foot metal structure Monday, but treasurer Vickie Gohl said the building has been the site of two Christmas parties and RC&D and Southwest Public Power multi-county zoning meetings.

The fair board meets here now, instead of at the courthouse. Gohl said a land auction, graduation and alumni meetings and a 50th anniversary celebration are scheduled this spring and summer.

The new structure, which is handicap accessible, replaces an exhibit hall and a concession stand.

The building will be especially appreciated during the county's fair, Gohl said, because 4-H exhibits will be located inside the open-design, brightly-lighted, air-conditioned structure.

The new kitchen will serve as the concessions stand for the fair, Gohl said, with serving inside and through the large north window to patrons outside.

Gohl said some work remains to be done in the kitchen. Plans include countertops, cabinets and an island with plenty of electrical plug-ins. Along the east wall are a new refrigerator, upright freezer and stove.

A chest freezer and the tables and chairs came from the two original fairgrounds buildings. The Quonset was dismantled, with volunteer labor, and may be rebuilt and used on the golf course.

The new community building/exhibit hall was financed with a $200,000 loan and a $45,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Community Facility Loan and Grant Program. The loan will be repaid over 40 years at 4.625 percent interest.

The county's Ag Society contributed $30,000 toward the new facility, and donations totaled $58,000. The project totaled $333,000.

Gohl said coordinators will still gladly accept donations to help finish the kitchen and retire the debt.

Fair board members, 4-H exhibitors and Extension officials are looking forward to summer activities in the new building.

Gohl said a new feature in the new building is a shower in each of the restrooms. "They may keep some kids out of the water tanks," she said, but added, laughing, "Uh, no, the grand champion will still end up in the water tank!"