EPHRATA — A string of improvements at the Grant County Fairgrounds continues with a new covered arena expected to cost $436,384.

Desert Development, of Moses Lake, is the apparent low bidder of the 12 companies trying to construct the 140 foot by 220 foot building.

The Grant County commissioners opened bids, ranging as high as $635,000, Tuesday

The fairground manager is reviewing the bids to insure they met criteria before the commissioners choose a contractor.

The arena is part of a series of improvements at the fairgrounds, including new septic, water and electrical systems, the 4-H building and new bathrooms. The county recently completed moving Airway Drive, so it loops around the parking lot. After the construction, the county had about $1.4 million left of the $12 million bond it took out to pay for the improvements.

The new covered arena will sit east of the Ardell Pavilion. Bob Russell, the Fair Facilities Advisory Committee chair, said in a previous meeting.

Fairgrounds Manager Vern Cummings said the arena is going to provide the fairgrounds more space to hold shows, saying the Ardell Pavilion is often double or triple booked.

Cummings initially estimated the pavilion would cost between $589,000 to more than $700,000 depending on if the county went with a metal or cloth roof, he said. The county decided to go with the less expensive metal roof.

“So this (price) is very much in line. It’s not out of line at all,” he said.

The building should be done by June, Cummings said, adding none of the companies bidding on the project have any stock.

“They let it all dwindle down because of the economy, so they do it one order at a time. Every piece is ordered out from the factory, brought in, manufactured, welded (it takes) six weeks for delivery,” he said.

Ordering won’t start until the structure is approved by the planning and building department, Cummings said, adding he is hoping the company starts by the end of April.