Horticulture barn in Ronan is part way through renovation

After months of fundraising and hours of work by different local groups, the horticulture barn at the Lake County Fairgrounds has been winterized.

Back in June, the project received a $10,000 gift from the Montana Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife during a shooting sports practice. Other supporters of the project were the Polson Rotary, which donated $11,000 to the renovation, Plum Creek, who donated $4,000, and various 4-H groups such as the 4-H council and the 4-H market livestock group.

The remodel of the barn included trusses, a ceiling, an electrical upgrade, insulation, and two furnaces. Fair Board President Sjaan Vincent said the project couldn’t have been done without help from the community. “If it wouldn’t have been for an anonymous building company, this wouldn’t have happened. They donated time, equipment, and knowledge. It was no easy feat,” Vincent said. Other groups such as WBC and Hunt’s Timbers were also instrumental in the success of the first phase of the project. “Their help has really been priceless. We’ve had a tremendous amount of local support.”

Many different groups use the building, including the Mission Valley Mariners, who have practiced there in the winter for about 10 years. During the remodel, the team helped with the sheetrock, and plan to help put up boards in a few weeks. “We talked to Sjaan Vincent and said that we would help out with whatever we could to complete her vision,” head coach Jami Hanson said.

Before, the team froze inside the building. “It’s so much nicer now,” Hanson said, “Last year we were putting the nets up and it was about 12 degrees outside and it was six degrees inside. The cold just goes right through you. Now, we don’t really even need to turn the heaters on.”

Even with all of the fundraising and work, the project still has a little ways to go. Vincent said the building needs a new roof. “We still need to raise about $9,000,” she said.

The inside of the barn is almost completed. In a few weeks, the walls will get rustic looking boards. “We wanted it to be something to be proud of,” Vincent said.

Last Thursday night, the 4-H Dog Project group used the building for practice. During practice, Karen McLeod, one of the leaders of the group, said, “To be able to use this building year round to help prepare the kids in whatever direction they want to go... really gives us an advantage.” The group is now able to store some of their agility equipment in the building and pull it out for practice. McLeod and others have put many hours into the project. “It has been a huge coming together,” she said.

Back in June, when the shooting sports club received $10,000 from the Montana Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, Fred Grant, one of the leaders, said that the shooting sports club had outgrown three different locations. “Shooting sports club is one of the fastest growing clubs there is. We are up to about sixty kids, and we keep having to change locations,” he said at that time.

Today, the club is able to practice in the barn and store their equipment there as well.