Coeur d'Alene council throws support behind fairgrounds

The Coeur d’Alene City Council on Tuesday threw its support for the North Idaho State Fair to keep its longtime home at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds. 

The council unanimously approved a resolution “encouraging Kootenai County to maintain the current Kootenai County Fairgrounds as the site of the Fair into the future."

Councilwoman Christie Wood said she has been hearing there are real concerns “that you could actually lose your location at the fairgrounds."

“I think you guys have always done well,” said Councilman Woody McEvers. 

The move pleased fair board chair Jerry Johnson and General Manager and CEO Alexcia Jordan. 

“The support is huge,” Johnson said afterward. “That's what we’re trying to do right now is generate support, countywide, communitywide.” 

Jordan called passage of the resolution “an exciting moment.”

“It’s one more step to where we need to be. Hopefully in the next couple months we can get there,” she said. 

The fair does not have a lease for the site but acts as caretaker of the 83-acre fairgrounds property owned by the county off Government Way. 

Johnson said with the rising value of land and the area’s growth, rumors keep going around that the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office and the county would like the land for expansion, and the fair should relocate to 100 acres or so somewhere on the Rathdrum Prairie.

He said such a move won't work.

“We have nowhere to go because there's no money to do it,” he said. “There’s no room anymore for a $300 million move to the prairie.” 

“We’re good where we’re at,” Johnson said. “That’s where we want to stay.”

The fair board is seeking a long-term lease for the property. A workshop on the matter is scheduled 10 a.m. Monday at Kootenai County Administration Building. 

The resolution points out several highlights of the Kootenai County Fairgrounds, which hosts year-round events, as well as the annual North Idaho State Fair. 

The benefits include that it has nearly 300,000 visitors a year; generates $30 million in annual economic output; supports 260 jobs; fosters community connections, education and cultural enrichment; and contributes on average more than $240,000 annually for nonprofits.

“The North Idaho State Fair has a comprehensive Master Plan aimed at enhancing its current facilities and infrastructure, ensuring that it remains a first-class venue for community and regional celebrations for the next several decades,” according to the resolution.  

Johnson said the Kootenai County Fairgrounds are self-sustaining and they receive no tax dollars, but have money in the bank.

"Ten years ago, we were almost broke," he said.

He said they have plans to improve the fairgrounds. For instance, they would like to renovate the Jacklin Building to accommodate larger events, for which there is demand. But without a long-term lease, there is too much uncertainty to proceed with such a project.

The North Idaho State Fair has been at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds since 1952.

“Without a doubt we could flourish there for many decades to come,” Jordan said.