Listed below are the improvements and additions in Phase 1 of the Fairgrounds Project. Pictures and progress notes are shown below. Holding your mouse over each picture will give you a description.

Phase One addressed the infrastructure needs and future needs of additional phases. Infrastructure work included water mains, sanitary sewer, storm water detention, curbs and gutters, sidewalks, landscaping and seeding.

1. North/south entrance drive extension and east/west access drive from entrance drive to Sickles Street, including circle drive around existing restrooms, with concrete curb/gutter, sidewalk, and bituminous surface.

2. Water main and sanitary sewer along access drive from entrance drive to Sickles Street.

3. Storm water detention pond and storm sewer from pond to Sickles Street.

4. Smith Hall improvements, including bituminous parking areas, sidewalks, and water, sanitary and storm service leads.

5. North Fairgrounds area improvements, including sidewalks and water, sanitary and storm service leads.

6. Total project cost $2,328,000. This cost does not include Smith Hall renovation, new barns, restroom/snack building or stage.

2005 – New access road off from Townsend Road is completed and paved at a substantially reduced cost thanks to the cooperation and generosity of the Clinton County Road Commission and Searles Excavating.

June 2005- Due to construction and renovation work taking place at the fairgrounds, it was decided that no rentals for Smith Hall would be accepted from mid-August through December 1, 2006

March 2006 – A structural analysis of the swine barn determined that it was unsafe and needed to be torn down

July 2006-Construction trailers on site as well as pipe for the pond outlet. Easement across Fell property has been executed. Top soil for detention pond has been stripped and swine barn has been demolished. 4-H Fair uses large tent for housing of swine during fair.

September 2006-Trees are being planted around detention pond as well as natural seedlings. Main line of the sanitary sewer is in. Work continues on the detention pond and sanitary and storm sewers.

October 2006-Emergency telephone service approved for several main fair buildings. Speakers for the public address system are to be installed along with a paging connection into the City Park.

November 2006-Construction and paving of Sickles Street is complete. Sidewalks to Smith Hall are completed. Electrical work continues with all utilities now underground and new street lighting in place.

January 2007- Wet weather in the fall, the work on Phase #1 is behind schedule. Infrastructure work including water mains and sanitary and storm sewer are in place. One half of the sidewalk is in place. Curb and gutter is complete.

February 2007-Professional services of Hobbs & Black for construction of a 7,200 square foot swine barn.

April 2007- Bid awarded for Smith Hall HVAC Improvements which include air conditioning, exhaust fans in restrooms and makeup air unit in kitchen. Opened bids for Swine Barn.

May 2007-Seeding, tree planting underway at fairgrounds. Bids opened for Smith Hall vestibule (entrance). A resolution is passed honoring the Fell family for their vision to promote open space and recreation in Clinton County and designating the area around wetland/detention pond as the Fell Farm Wetlands. Smith Hall air conditioning project is underway; asphalt is going down. The wetland area plantings will mature in about three years. There are native grasses and wild flowers included in the landscaping.

June 2007 –New Swine barn framing and painting is complete. Pens have been ordered and building is complete in time for the 2007 4-H Fair.