Questions linger over the future of the Stark County Fair Association, as some members of the group voiced their concerns and disappointment over a lack of support for a proposed fairground project.
Gary Satern, fairgrounds project consultant, said during a meeting of the group Monday the future doesn't look bright for the project.
"Without the county pulling the trigger, the city has no financial interest in the project," Satern said. "They're not going to come in if the county doesn't go first.
"Effectively, the association has lost the county financial support, the city, without saying anything, we've lost their support."
Satern said the USDA feels very bad about what's happened, and feel the project had merit, but will not enter into an agreement with the fair board when local government entities will not enter into it with them.
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"The project might have been a very good thing for the area, for the 4-H people, for the people that live and work in Stark County, and travel through Stark County," Satern said. "In addition to the financial support, we've lost the fire in our belly. It's hard to recover from a setback like we've had."
The Fair Association has been working to develop 56 acres on the west side of Dickinson into a multi-use fairgrounds complex to be constructed as funding became available.
A groundbreaking for the fairgrounds was held this summer.
The Stark County Park Board committed about $500,000 to the project two years ago. Revenue from the sale of county land on the northwest edge of Dickinson was also supposed to be committed in part to the fairgrounds, according to a previous Press article.
The Stark County Commission reportedly recommended those commitments.
In January, Duane "Bucky" Wolf Stark County Commission chairman said the money is no longer available.
"We've been fighting for this thing for 35 years," said Ken Lefor, Fair Board member. "I think it's a good project and a worthwhile project, I've still got to go along and say, I don't care where you go, every other small county in the state of North Dakota has got a county fair, has got a fairgrounds."
Some options presented to members Monday included pursuing a smaller facility or remaining organized to market Roughrider Days Fair and Expo, among other options.
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"To sit here and try to keep the dream alive, even at a downsize, is tough because it seems like there's no one on our side," said Ron Jablonski, board member. "There's nobody willing to step up and support it."
Satern said the board's "homework" was done, and they shouldn't feel badly.
A special meeting regarding the future of the group and future of the project is slated to be held Tuesday, May 11, at 7:30 p.m. at the Stark/Billings County Extension office, located at 1340 W. Villard St. in Dickinson.
"I think we've hit that crossroad, where our thoughts have to be put into something, some direction," said Kurt Froelich, association chairman.
