Fair Board receives repair funds from county
Published 12:00 am Thursday, October 26, 2000
The Mower County Agricultural Society’s Fair Board received $13,300 from the county commissioners Tuesday.
Thursday, October 26, 2000
The Mower County Agricultural Society’s Fair Board received $13,300 from the county commissioners Tuesday.
They wanted more.
At the recommendation of the county board’s building committee, Commissioners David Hillier, Third District, chair, and Richard P. Cummings, First District, the entire county board approved an additional allocation to the Fair Board.
The money will be used to pay for repairs done to the fairgrounds administrative offices and creative arts building.
However, another $4,100 sought by the Fair Board is still under review by the building committee.
When the work is completed, the building committee will make its recommendation based on actual expenses.
Both increments of money will come from insurance monies collected by the county for damages incurred during the May hailstorm.
Cabin controversy
In another building committee matter, Hillier reported to the county commissioners on discussions that are continuing with the Mower County Historical Society on building issues, including the 1839 log cabin that has become a controversy.
The so-called Ole Severson vintage-1839 log cabin had become a safety hazard to allow visitors inside.
When the historical society requested new public restroom facilities, the appropriate time for the cabin’s removal was at hand.
Because of new regulations for a public restroom, including complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for handicapped accessibly, the new restroom must be constructed on a much larger scale than the old. That means the cabin – located next to the restrooms at the east end of the grandstands on the fairground – had to be moved.
Presently, the fate of the cabin, which would need to be restored to comply with current regulations to allow public use, remains uncertain.
Also adding into the situation is the fact that a new log cabin was built for display and use at the Mower County Historical Center in southwest Austin.
The Ole Severson cabin is a small authentic structure used by pioneers on the Minnesota prairie.