Improvements on Franklin County Fairgrounds Convention Center begin, March finish expected

After nearly three years of planning and fundraising, improvements and renovations to the Franklin County Convention Center are underway.

The Franklin County Fair Board last week announced last week that exterior work on the building started earlier in October.

Jon Baltes, Fair Board President, said contractor Kingland Construction, out of Forest City, began work on exterior improvements, concrete work, pillars and the installation of a drive under canopy on the west side of the building, among other projects.

He said the crew hopes to have exterior improvements complete before moving inside early this month. The interior work includes rearranging the main banquet hall, upgrading the restrooms, renovating the office and adding an additional meeting space.

“It’ll be a completely new look inside,” Baltes said.

The total cost of the project carries a roughly $1.2 million price tag, which the fundraising committee has collected all but $100,000 of to date through donations, grants and pledges. Baltes said that the fair is excited to begin renovations and that it was the public’s help that got them to the starting line.

“It took a lot of phone calls, knocking on doors and talking to people. It took a lot of hard work and time from a core group,” Baltes said. “We’ve had fantastic support from the community here and surrounding communities.”

Carol Lowery, Fundraising Co-Chair for the project, added that the generosity of the community could not be overstated.

“This is all very exciting,” she said. “To see the beginning stages of the exterior improvements and to know all the hard work and community support is going to bring this project to fruition is a vision come true.”

Baltes said the goal is to have the project finished by the annual Dinner Dance in March, with the hopes that the event serves as the grand unveiling for the renovations.

“We expect we will have a sell-out crowd this year with the community excited to see the new look,” he said. “It’s going to be different for sure. The restrooms, meeting room, office and the main banquet area are receiving a total overhaul.”

Baltes added that the improvements will allow the convention center to continue to serve the community year-round and now, will be able to accommodate groups of all sizes.

“We wanted a place the community can use throughout the year for whatever they need, whether it be for a wedding reception, a reunion, a birthday or almost any occasion,” he said.

As the project continues, the fair office will operate out of the 4-H food stand. Office hours will be 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.