When it comes to the construction of a new building on the Battelle District Fairgrounds, Clay-Battelle FFA Alumni Association President Keith Watson is sure of two things.
One, the local community, as it always does, has thrown its full support behind the project.
And two, the new 11,000-square-foot structure will be built and ready for action come July 1, 2023.
“That’s not a hope. I’ve been adamant to anyone who’s going to touch this project that it has to be done by July 1,” Watson said. “In my very first talk with the fair I told them we wouldn’t touch a screw until we had funding, which I feel comfortable that we have that now to get moving.”
That was helped significantly by the Monongalia County Commission, which pledged $200,000 for the new building.
The commission has also indicated the 3.667 acres that make up the fairgrounds will be deeded over to the alumni association.
According to Watson, the new building will cost between $500,000 and $600,000. The construction will likely be done in concert with more general improvements to the water and electric infrastructure on the grounds.
A lot of this extra work will be provided as in-kind donations by various businesses and individuals in the area.
“You look around these days at how everything is and the economics have been moving up and down out here,” Watson said. “But no matter what, it’s always been a tight community. We all just kind of pull together to make things happen. And that’s where we’re at.”
The new building will have far more utility than the current 95-year-old barn for everyone, including the fairgrounds’ main tenants and caretakers — the Battelle District Fair, Wadestown Little League and the alumni association, which runs the annual Monongalia County FFA/4-H Livestock Show and Sale.
Last weekend, during the 44th annual show and sale, Commission President Tom Bloom announced the commission’s funding commitment, and may have had a bite to eat.
“Everyone was extremely excited,” Bloom said. “And I’ll tell you, best food I’ve had in Mon County.”
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