From the Fairgrounds to the Parking Lot

Rodeo President Danielle Wollert at Start of Rodeo Competition

The Prowers County Commissioners provided an official welcome to the contestants and families for the Colorado Junior Rodeo Association championships held at the Prowers County Fairgrounds over the weekend. Commissioner Schnabel provided the welcoming remarks on Friday afternoon, August 19^th with Wendy Buxton-Andrade and Ron Cook in attendance.  “We have a pretty nice community and people around the region have enjoyed the facilities we have at the fairgrounds.  We couldn’t do a lot about the weather, but we’re hoping it’s a good weekend for everyone involved,” he remarked.  Schnabel said the community appreciates the involvement of the rodeo association in the community and hoped the weekend visitors would have an opportunity to visit some of the amenities in Lamar.  Danielle Wollert, President of CJRA told the commissioners earlier in the week that she expected as many as 136 participants involved in the weekend rodeo.

Ribs on the Rack

The large bbq grills were fired up as Commissioner Schnabel was making his welcoming remarks to the audience in the grandstands. Peter Page had started the briskets for a slow roast at 6am that morning and racks and racks of ribs had just been set on their grills for the evening meal.  “The ribs will only need to cook for about five hours, but the briskets will need a head start in the smokers,” he explained.

Lots of Work on the New Lot

The parking lot located east of the Prowers County Courthouse is currently undergoing a much-needed renovation. The parking lot and some areas of the surrounding streets will be closed off the entire week of August 22, 2016. Kirk Powers, Building Operations Supervisor, told the commissioners last week that the parking lot will need to be cleared of cars during the resurfacing project during which new parking lines will be added and parking blocks will be set on the lot during the conclusion of the project.

Land Use Director, Keith Siemsen, met with the commissioners to review some price quotes for an environmental assessment of materials inside the former SOS Center on East Elm Street. He’s contacted five companies and has settled on two that are in the estimated price range of $3,000 for the assessment of materials from chemical content tests, including a lead survey on the building.  Siemsen said one of the conditions of the contract is that he will accompany the company representatives during their assessment study.  He expects to have contract language within the next several weeks on the agreement.  The commissioners are making an evaluation of the building to determine its use, if any, to the county.  It has been vacant for several years.

By Russ Baldwin