The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG – A multi-topic meeting of the Waitsburg Fairgrounds Committee ended with an agreement that the group’s first priority is to get a clear mandate of authority from the city.

While members varied in opinion on everything from retaining the metal horse-race rail to whether or not buildings should be torn down, the committee was united in the idea that group needs to be able to function in a capacity similar to the city’s planning commission.

“We want our mandate to be an advisory, with-teeth committee, where they run plans through this committee before they do things, is what I’ve heard the group say,” confirmed committee chair Lane Hill.

“The committee would like acknowledgement from the Waitsburg City Council that we are community partners in planning for the contributions the Waitsburg fairgrounds can make to the community. Therefore, we would like a commitment from the city to consider the suggestions for success from the Fairgrounds Committee and to partner with the committee on decisions about fairgrounds infrastructure,” said member Joy Smith.

The committee agreed to seek that commitment from the city at the upcoming April 20 council meeting.

In the near future, the committee hopes to come up with a strong plan, or even several plans, to present to the council for consideration regarding fairgrounds usage.

Community member Suze Wood had been in the process of developing plans for an equestrian center at the fairgrounds even prior to the adoption of the sports complex plan approved last fall. Wood is hopeful that her plan to develop a first-class boarding facility and arena can be adapted to work in conjunction with future fairgrounds renovation plans.

Hill said she had recently discussed the fairgrounds with a pro bono group that works with city parks, that responded enthusiastically to the idea of a mixed-use space that not only retains, but emphasizes the history of the race track.

We have something that’s got history that will bring people into town because the racetrack was so significant and so special that there was something here that people don’t want to go away. Even though racing may not realistically return and the financial end has changed dramatically; we don’t want to get rid of the history that’s there. We want to keep the things that honor the history and the Days of Real Sport, Hill said.

Hill said the group felt the “story” of the Days of Real Sport was a valuable asset and said she would provide a written report at a later date.

Everyone present was in favor of continued development of an RV park and dry camping area and retaining the existing annual events that currently make use of the fairgrounds.

Representatives were recruited to areas of historical preservation, music and entertainment, camping, existing events, and the equestrian center with the hopes of developing a strong plan for the facilities in the coming months.

“I think we can do it all. It may take ten years before we’re completely done if we start prioritizing the things we need to get working on we can make a plan and move forward. I don’t see any of this as conflicting with anything else. It all sounds good to me,” said committee member Kate Hockersmith.