The Greenwood County Fair Association (GCFA) annual Stockholders meeting was held on Tuesday, Feb. 6, at 7 p.m., at the Eureka Public Library. Directors present included: President Dr. Kailey Fitzmorris, Vice President Justin Branine, Secretary Stacy Randle, Treasurer Tom Perrier, Jamie Nelson, Dr. Harold Garner, Craig Miller and Linda Snyder. Director Garry Edmondson was absent.
Stockholders and guests present included: Lance Snyder, Maurice Erickson, Sue Erickson, Virgil Stuber, Eugene Sprague, Linda Snyder, Bobbie Droge, Robin Wunderlich, Wes Wunderlich, Ben Sims, Michael O’Donnell, Clint Johnson, Kathy Miller, Judy Lewis, Daryl Lewis and Joy Jensen Howell.
Linda Snyder moved to accept the minutes. R. Wunderlich seconded. Motion carried. A quorum was present.
Perrier gave the treasurer’s report. The City of Eureka took over the utilities for the concourse building in July. Nelson motioned to approve the minutes. Branine seconded. Motion carried.
Nelson gave the fair report. New goat pins were installed. All exhibits were in the concourse building. Food exhibits were upstairs while arts and crafts were downstairs. The restrooms were repaired and all were in working order. Judging was held downstairs in the Braden Room. Sims stated he appreciates everyone’s support.
Next was the election of officers. Terms expiring were Dr. Fitzmorris, Perrier and Randle. Branine motioned for those directors to stay on the board. Miller seconded. Motion carried. Next was nominations to fill the oneyear term vacated by Josh Butler. Stuber nominated Linda Snyder. Dr. Garner seconded. Motion carried.
There was no old business.
O’Donnell, a lobbyist in Topeka, gave information about legislation concerning live horse racing at Eureka Downs. He is working with Mr. and Mrs. Paul Treadwell on getting horse racing back in Kansas, specifically Eureka Downs. The legislature authorized a gaming license to Phil Ruffin. There will be 1,000 Historic Horse Racing machines in Park City at the Golden Circle. The bill would give a three percent tax on every handle to a racing facility. Eureka Downs is the only track left. The bill passed the Senate and will be heard in the House this spring. The bill would give one percent to the horse breeding program and two percent to the Greenwood County Fair Board (GCFB). The bill is currently with the Federal and State Affairs Committee. Dr. Droge has the full support of the speaker of the house. Golden Circle will be operational by September 2025. At the end of every quarter tax money would go to the GCFB. Branine inquired if the track can be used as a training track outside of the 13 racing weekends that the racing group would like to hold. Nelson said the track can be used for training. O’Donnell then stated they are predicting at least $8,000,000 could come to Eureka Downs at the end of year one. That amount could increase. Tracks around the country need other tracks open for racing. There is a surplus of horses needing to race. If the bill is passed, GCFB could ask for a grant or loan to start renovations. If the board hires a management company they and the board have to apply for race days. O’Donnell continued by stating this is not just a regional issue. There is an agricultural benefit for the entire state. The governor and lieutenant governor have indicated support. They will try to go to the appropriations committee in late March or early April. Will Carpenter, a Eureka native, is head of that committee. The passage of this bill will bring money to invest in the facility. The renovations might have to be completed in phases. Michael O’Donnell will make sure GCFB’s interest is represented in Topeka. This will bring real economic development.
Sprague inquired about the three flag poles that were taken down on the in-field of the race track. He suggested that they can be installed on the west of the concourse building around the jockey and racehorse sign. He stated that the veterans were upset about the flag poles. He was informed that even though the flag poles were taken down, the flags were still flying on the old starting gates during the rodeo. Sprague would like to see the flags and floodlights by Memorial Day.
There was a question about the removal of the R Barn. The board had previously voted to dismantle the R Barn. The fair board did try to sell the barn for the materials, however no bids were given. The board then voted to let the Amish tear the barn down for materials.
A Greenwood County Community Center (GCCC) update was given by Nelson, Perrier and Randle. They are all representatives on the GCCC board. The concourse building was leased to the city. Utilities have been high, however there have been more rentals. The city is starting repairs now. The GCCC is available to rent for many types of events. The GCFB Board retains the right to use the facility for the rodeo and fair for the protection of dates. Staci Crumrine is now in charge of community enrichment and the rental of the facility. She is looking into city and county grants. If live horse racing comes back, the racing entity would also want to have protection of dates. The GCCC would have to approve those dates.
W. Wunderlich inquired if the board was going to update the hookups. This board needs to look at updating the hookups. Nelson has talked to Evergy. The board is considering relocating and updating hookups.
Snyder motioned to adjourn. Perrier seconded. Motion carried.
