Commissioners seek input on fairgrounds improvements

The Lake County Commissioners are seeking public input on a proposed grant that would complete renovation of buildings at the Ronan Fairgrounds.  

Commissioners will hold a public hearing at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 9 in their chambers on the second floor of the Lake County Courthouse and also welcome written comments before noon Sept. 9.

According to a legal notice published in the Lake County Leader, the county plans to apply to the Montana Department of Commerce for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).

The grant request, if approved, seeks $750,000, with an additional match of $230,000 from the county’s coffers, to complete the renovation of fairgrounds buildings. The funding would be used to bring the Ronan Community Center up to code with wiring and lights, and provide handicapped accessibility, new bathrooms and kitchen upgrades. A maintenance area would offer easy access to lighting, internet, sewer and water, the facility’s generator and other controls. If funding is sufficient, the plan also calls for new bathrooms in the horticulture barn and a storage area.

The scope of the project and its proposed budget will be reviewed at the public hearing on Sept. 9. The improvements were first proposed at previous public hearings held by the commission to gather community input and identify needs for projects that would better serve the citizens of Lake County.

At the close of the hearing, commissioners will entertain a resolution to submit the application to the project as proposed. Written comments may be emailed to lakecommissioners@lakemt.gov or mailed to the Lake County Commission, 106 4th Ave. East in Polson.

For more information, contact Billie Lee, Lake County Director of Grants and Special Projects, 406-872-2362 or blee@lakemt.gov.