(OSCEOLA, IA – November 15, 2021)
The Clarke County Development Corporation (CCDC) is hard at work on one of its goals…to help make Clarke County a great place to live, work and play. Improvements to community facilities is one way CCDC works towards this goal. Recently, during a brainstorming session, various ideas were discussed in ways to make these goals a reality. The Clarke County Fairgrounds has become a hub for activities in the community. In addition to the annual county fair, the fairgrounds are used year round for various activities. Iowa State Extension office uses the center for monthly meetings, 4-H and FFA also hold monthly meetings at the events center. The center has seen politicians, corporate events, and celebrities. On the weekends, the center is used for various personal events like weddings, family reunions, quinceaneras, birthdays and more.
Clarke Co Fairgrounds Event Center
With the high community usage of the facility, the need for a friendlier handicap accessible parking has come to the forefront. At the September board meeting, CCDC authorized a discretionary grant of $82,558 to pave a 200 foot wide and 70 foot deep section of the current parking lot in front of the events center.
Bill Trickey, executive director of CCDC states
“The addition of a paved parking area with handicap ramps will make it easier for those in wheelchairs to access the events center. CCDC is proud to take part in this project”.
The Clarke County fair board has been hard at work at facility improvements for the last few years. Recently, upgrades were made to the events center audio integrity. This includes the addition of sound boards to decrease the echo effect in the main events center room. Additionally, the show barn was upgraded with a new audio system. This was a welcome addition for those attending the fair. New covered breezeways between the barns has also been installed. The kitchen was also upgraded to commercial grade appliances. With the recent growth in Clarke County seen in the 2020 census, the projected use of the events center has grown too. Clarke County Fair Board member Paula Hein said,
“The fairgrounds is now reserved almost every weekend from May to August. This is in addition to the other business rentals of the facility and the 3-4 stock events that happen annually on top of the regular fair activities”.
The increase in traffic to the Clarke County Fairgrounds only solidified the need to address the parking accessibility. Gravel can be difficult to maneuver a wheel chair through. The paved parking area eliminates this challenge.
For more information on the Clarke County events center, go to: https://www.facebook.com/ClarkeCountyFairgroundsEventCenterIowa/
If you have questions or would like more information about the developments around Clarke County and Osceola, Iowa, please contact Bill Trickey, Executive Director, Phone:641-342-2944, email: info@clarkecountyiowa.com.