CITY COUNCIL OPTS TO SUPPORT KEEPING 4-H FAIRGROUNDS IN LAKE ANDES

One of the bigger agenda items that was discussed by the City Council at the regular monthly meeting was presented by Wagner Area Development Director, Margaret Doom. Margaret had been contacted to see if Wagner would be interested in the opportunity to submit a proposal to not only be the host site Charles-Mix County fairgrounds, but also to build a new facility. The facility would include a commercial kitchen, dining hall for 300 people, board room, indoor rodeo sized arena and an indoor shooting sports arena. These facilities would be rentable to the public. The proposal has a deadline of October 21st for bids to be submitted and is open to all of Charles-Mix County towns. The initial estimate of the project is $2 million dollars to be raised over the next couple of years with construction then beginning in Spring of 2027. Requirements of minimum bids to be accepted include at least 10 acres of land and a plan on how to raise $1 million by December of 2025 and then to raise another $1 million by December 2026. Even though the community that ends up getting the bid to build would foot the costs for the project, any money raised through rentals would go back into the Charles Mix County 4-H Foundation and not the city. Margaret presented the general information to the city council to see if there was interest to proceed or not in the bidding process. It was also brought up by residents that attended the meeting the impact that this type of rental establishment would have on businesses/organizations such as the Wagner Theater and American Legion as well as the county 4-H grounds and buildings not being located in a central part of the county, making it more difficult for some 4-H families to be able to attend meetings, practices and events. Discussion by the council included the probability of a higher cost than estimated for the project, not having the 4-H location be central in the county and the possible affect it could have on Wagner’s already established businesses losing rentals. It was decided by the council that Wagner would encourage the county to continue to have the county 4-H fairgrounds in Lake Andes. Thus, Wagner will not be pursuing or submitting a bid or proposal for the project.