The Lake County Fairgrounds has been pieced together over many years by community support, and the old 1967 community center building has been in dire need of upgrades and refinishes.  

Now, after eight months, renovations at the community center are complete, and the fairgrounds hosted a celebration lunch on Thursday, July 16, to express appreciation for the community's support during this project.   

The renovation includes a new porch, electrical system, doors, siding and plumbing. Along with a revamped bathroom, renovated kitchen and much more. The county was also able to install a large generator, which declares this building an emergency shelter.  

Sjaan Vincent, the county grounds and fair manager, explained that this was a “tremendous community project,” and when they say it takes a village, this really “defines it.”  

To get this $1.9 million project done, Vincent said it took several businesses from across the valley stepping in, private donations, community members donating their time, supportive Lake County Commissioners and contractors going beyond what was required.  

However, Commissioner Bill Barron added that this project wouldn’t have happened without the dynamic team of Vincent and Billie Lee, the county grant administrator. Commissioner Gale Decker said Vincent has been the driving force behind this project and an advocate for the fairgrounds, organizing the labor and the Friends of the Fairgrounds Committee.  

Vincent jokingly added that Decker got really tired of her saying “Can we do something about the bathrooms?” at every public meeting. But now that she has gotten her wish, she said, “I will never say it again; I learned my lesson.”  

She also said that behind the project has been her “magician” and “absolute rock star,” Lee, who knows how to get it done. Lee helped secure funding for this project through the Ronan Tourism Grant from Mission West Community Development Partners and about $400,000 in county funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.  

Lee also obtained a $74,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to purchase the generator. She added that the $1.9 million project includes replacing the grandstands, which were completed last year.  

“It was so grassroots, and there's just never been money to really update,” Vincent said.  

Decker said while some county funds were used, the project was made possible through donations, time and labor.  

Changes made  

During a tour of the upgraded center, Lee explained that the original bathrooms were also extended, creating a unique bathroom space that can be expanded for special or large events. Vincent added that the new electrical work is a great improvement over their previous “duct tape and bubble gum” setup, with detailed labeling and the ability to plug multiple crockpots into the wall.  

“Used to be in the old days, if you turned on your clippers on the north end of the facility, you would turn off the refrigerator in the community center,” Vincent said.  

Both Vincent and Lee expressed their gratitude during lunch to their architects, engineers, contractors, several businesses and the community.  

Cynthia Preston, owner of Access Montana and a member of Friends of the Fairgrounds, said that about every business in the area stepped up to help with this project. Vincent added that even businesses approached her and asked why she hadn’t requested a donation yet.  

Vincent said this is the largest, most affordable gathering place in the county's center, and their goal was to make it a turnkey community facility both inside and out.   Commissioner Bill Barron flips burgers during the Lake County Community Center completion celebration. (Emily Messer/Leader)