SANDPOINT — Bonner County commissioners paved the way on Tuesday for Darcey Smith, fairgrounds and facility director, to pursue a grant for improvements to the RV park adjacent to the fairgrounds. If awarded by Idaho Parks and Recreation, these funds will be used to improve drainage, road repairs and paving into the park.

The amount to be requested is $235,900 of which a $10,000 match will be required from the fairgrounds.

“This grant carries just a four percent match,” Commission Chairman Dan McDonald said.

Smith explained that this is the beginning of a four-phase project at the park. Phase two will add campsites, phase three will pave those campsites and four will install an additional, new restroom with showers.

Currently the RV Park has 33 sites ranging from 32 feet to 54 feet in length. Power and water hookups are available from April 15 through Oct. 15. In the winter months camping is limited and although electricity is available they spaces are without water hookup or sewage.

“People use the campground year round,” Smith said. “People who are skiing Schweitzer bring their RVs in during the winter months.” The Fairgrounds’ website says that there is a 14-day maximum stay.

On the subject of roads, Steve Klatt, Road and Bridge Director told commissioners that it was the time of year to be pre-emptive about road restrictions on county roads.

“I would like a resolution in place even though we don’t need them now, we may get there sooner than we think,” Klatt said. He said that his department would try to post the restrictions a week in advance in order to give people an opportunity to move equipment as necessary. Commissioners approved the resolution.

And, moving off-road, the commissioners approved the Recreation Department’s request to seek grant funding for two different types of off-road grooming equipment. These matching funds would not come out of the county’s budget but from the off-road vehicle fund and snowmobile sticker fees respectively.

The County Commissioners meet every Tuesday at 9 a.m. at the Bonner County Administration Building, 1500 Highway 2, on the third floor. The agenda is posted 48 hours prior to the meeting at bonnercountyid.gov.