Jun 17, 2023

Barton Co. Fair Board seeking lease for remaining Expo buildings

Posted Jun 17, 2023 12:00 PM

Great Bend Post

The Barton County Fair Board has indicated to the City of Great Bend that they are willing to take over the operation and maintenance of two more buildings at the Great Bend Expo Complex. The Fair Board currently leases Expo III from the city and is looking for an approved lease to do the same with Expo I and Expo II.

This spring, the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce announced the transfer of ownership of Expo I and Expo II to the City of Great Bend. With a limited use of the buildings, the price of utilities, insurance and maintenance sometimes outweigh the revenue.

RELATED STORY: Great Bend figuring out how they want to manage Expo buildings

The payment in the proposed agreement will be $1 per year, and all the maintenance, outside of major repairs, are the responsibility of the Fair Board. The lease is for 20 years and gives the city the right to rent the facilities for up to five of its own events each year at half the cost.

The city council meeting Monday, June 19 begins at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.    

RELATED STORY: Chamber transferring ownership of Expo buildings to City of Great Bend