Fair Board given Gospel Pavilion update

VW County Fair Board information

The building upgrades, new rabbit barn, and changes in the band show aren’t the only things happening at the 2014 Van Wert County Fair. Last Thursday, members of the Van Wert County Fair Board discussed the fate of the fair’s gospel pavilion, which was severely damaged by high winds earlier this year.

After inspections by engineers from the jdi group inc., the structure was deemed unsafe for occupancy and a claim was turned into insurance. As a result of the inspection and repair estimates, the insurance carrier offered that the cost of repairing the existing structure could actually serve to build an entirely new pavilion.  Thus, Thursday evening, Fair Board members and the parties involved with funding and operating the pavilion discussed the possibilities. With a new convenience store and truck stop being constructed across the street, creating more noise to compete with performances in the pavilion, it seems like perfect timing to discuss the possibility of changing the location of the pavilion.

For safety purposes at this year’s fair and because of time constraints, the existing structure will be demolished and a tent used over the current pavilion stage during the 2014 fair. In the meantime, input and ideas will be gathered for a brand new structure to be completed in time for the 2015 edition of the fair.

Plans are to provide better acoustic qualities in a new pavilion, similar to an amphitheater, to that it can be available year-round for outdoor music events. Some expandability could also be built into the new structure, providing the ability to increase seating capacity and stage size, if needed in the future. Because of the increased potential for noise distractions, a new pavilion could also be located elsewhere on the fairgrounds, the Fair Board said.

Noting that the possibilities are exciting, decision makers will also seek suggestions from the public through a suggestion box that will be placed at the gospel tent during this year’s fair.

As in the past, the gospel “tent” will be free with paid admission into the fair.  This year, Thursday, Friday, and Monday offer Southern Gospel quartets, while Saturday and Sunday evenings will feature Contemporary Christian artists.

For performance details and times, visit the fair website at www.vanwertcountyfair.com.