The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Wahkiakum County commissioners this year may turn the county fairgrounds over to Port District No. 2 which operates nearby Skamokawa Vista Park.

County Commissioner Dan Cothren visited the Port 2 board of commissioners Tuesday to begin discussion of the idea.

"We've heard a rumor that the port district would like to take over operation of the fairgrounds," Cothren said. "That could be a win-win for both of us."

Port commissioners confirmed they were interested in the idea.

"The facilities, okay," said port commission Chair Brian O'Connor, "but not run the fair."

Cothren agreed. The fairboard would continue to run the fair. Currently, the county owns the property and facilities of the fair and adjacent Fairgrounds Park, but the fair association operates the fair. The county budgets funds for grounds maintenance and capital projects and the fair association covers personnel expenses.

The county struggles to find funds to maintain facilities, Cothren said. It has done some major work, such as building a new arena, painting the T-Building and working on drainage issues.

Port officials said they were interested in the fairgrounds and adjacent park because they’ve had success managing their recreational facilities, including County Line Park, which they took over this year.

“We’re looking at the whole property,” said port Commissioner Kayrene Gilbertsen. “Fairgrounds Park is seldom used.”

She added that the port would like to expand facilities for recreational vehicles, and they would like to try to turn the fairgrounds into an “economic development engine.”

Cothren suggested setting up a workshop meeting in January with all parties to discuss the issue further.

Gilbertsen suggested a county commissioner, O’Connor, and a fairboard member walk through the facilties together to get an understanding of their condition and needs.

“We still have to talk to the fair board,” Cothren said.

“They’ve done a wonderful job running the fair. I can’t say enough about that board.”

In other business at Tuesday’s meeting:

--Port commissioners passed a resolution increasing Manager Janet Bryan’s salary from $45,000 to $50,000.

--The board signed a resolution for the transfer of the old fair office property and nearby tennis court from the county to the port district. The county board of commissioners next must sign the resolution to accomplish the transfer of ownership.

The county acquired the property from the defunct Skamokawa Park and Recreation District. The interlocal agreement for the transfer notes that the property was used for years as part of Skamokawa Vista Park, “and location are such that its highest and best use would be for it to resume its historical function as part of Skamokawa Vista Park.”