JOHN DAY – Emergency repairs are under way at the Grant County Fairgrounds after inspections discovered a slew of structural and electrical hazards in several buildings and the grandstands.

The goal is to get the critical safety hazards addressed in the next couple of weeks, so it’s “safe for all of the people who come from all over for fair,” said Mary Weaver, fairgrounds manager.

Weaver and members of the Fair Board went to the Grant County Court last week for approval to proceed with the most urgent repairs. They asked the Court to allocate money from the county budget to address safety hazards before the 2011 Grant County Fair and Rodeo kicks off Aug. 24.

Weaver said the most immediate priorities to address are:

Safety risks on the grandstands ramp, which has uneven, loose and broken boards.

Missing frame bolts on support posts, and bolts without securing nuts, in the grandstands.

An unstable handrail that only extends partway up the grandstands stairway.

A rusty electrical breaker box that has no cover and is in an area open to the public.

Rotten boards on the Lions Deck, which also has shifted due to settling and tree roots.

Inadequate electrical systems that contribute to repeated power interruptions during events at the fairgrounds, posing a fire risk.

“We’re not asking for cosmetic fixes,” Weaver told the Court.

She said some of the work can be done by volunteers and community service workers, but some tasks – such as the electrical repairs – should be done by professionals.

The defects came to light last month as the Fair Board and staff prepared for a strategic planning session. The Fair Board hired MK Home Inspections to inspect all the fair buildings to get a better understanding of the condition of the facilities as they set priorities for the future of the fair.

The inspections found cracked and uneven asphalt, insufficient outdoor lighting, dry rot and damaged siding on several buildings.

Keerins Hall, which houses fair offices and space for gatherings, had problems including a spongy roof, a cracked support rafter, inadequate support for gas lines, and open grounds at some outlets.

The Sales Barn has exposed wiring, outdated breakers, nonstandard outlets, improperly mounted gas pipes, a furnace that’s beyond its life expectancy, as well as structural concerns.

Les Zaitz, Fair Board president, noted that the litany of defects is the result of “years of neglect of the physical plant … fixing that isn’t something that’s going to happen overnight.”

He and Weaver said they want to get started on the worst of the problems so no one steps through a board, trips and is injured, or is electrocuted.

Weaver, who called the results of the inspections “scary,” said she will close off the old Sale Barn during this year’s fair. The barn is adjacent to the Lions Deck and the larger, newer Heritage Barn, and has been used for programs and demonstrations in recent fairs and other events.

As for the electricity issues, she said she had hoped to defer all of that until later, but reconsidered after breakers tripped repeatedly during the recent SolWest Fair. She said that’s not only a fire hazard, but also risks injury to anyone tinkering with the breakers to try to restore power.

“I’m really concerned about those power issues,” she said. “Everybody says it’s been happening for years, but that just means we’ve lucked out.”

Commissioner Boyd Britton asked if the problem was just due to weakened breakers that could be replaced.

Larry Pierce, past fair board president, said the answer’s not that simple.

“Over the last four years, we have probably replaced every one of those breakers, hoping it was just that they got weak … but no,” he said.

The Court asked Weaver to get back as soon as possible with a list of priorities and cost estimates.

“As far as I’m concerned, if it’s a matter of public safety it’s got to be done,” said Britton. He added that he doesn’t like “patch” fixes.

Pierce agreed, but said the county doesn’t have time for a full fix on some issues. Weaver said given time and cost constraints, the ramp and stairs will get a patch, while the power issues will require a more comprehensive, longterm solution.

County Judge Mark Webb said as soon as they get the costs, the Court will work with county Treasurer Kathy Smith to see where the money will come from.

Court members noted that some of the problems are longstanding. They recalled that a member of the county safety committee stepped through a rotten board at the grandstands several years ago.

“I’ve known about a lot of these things, but frankly I’ve been scared to bring it up,” Britton conceded.

He recalled making the call some years ago to take out some rodeo bleachers that were rotten.

The day after the Court meeting, Weaver had a community service youth on the job tearing out the Lions Deck. The lumber was too deteriorated even to salvage, she said.