CANYON CITY – The Grant County Fairgrounds is ordering a portable stage to replace the old Lions Deck, which was torn down this month due to safety concerns.

The stage order was one of several emergency repairs approved by the Grant County Court at its Aug. 10 meeting.

Fairgrounds Manager Mary Weaver said she looked at rebuilding the deck but felt the portable stage would be a better fix. It can be stored in a case when not needed, and also will be available for rent to other organizations.

Weaver said she would buy it from the Stage Depot, provided the company would guarantee its arrival in time for this year’s fair. The cost is $3,184 for the stages, stairs and storage unit.

Other work under way before the Aug. 24-27 fair:

Electrical repairs to address safety hazards. The sole bidder was S&C Electric, at $4,460.

Fixing the grandstands stairway and railing. A Mt. Vernon firm, 3L Welding, submitted the low bid, $1,571.

Repairs to the ramp and stairs for the beer garden. Materials were estimated at $250, and the staff will do the work.

In all, the repairs come to about $9,500. The money will come from the county’s Courthouse reserve fund.

The need for repairs was revealed in inspections obtained by the Fair Board, as members prepared for a strategic planning project to chart the future of the fair.