Public comment for Fairgrounds master plan extended to April 11

Local farmer and Boulder County Fair Board president Melanie Bohren said she is pleased with the progress planners are making to remake the fairgrounds into a modern, multi-use facility.

Bohren especially likes how the consultants hired to develop a master plan for the fairgrounds — Design Workshop — have laid out preliminary plans for the makeover.

“They were able to identify areas where our fairgrounds needed improvements, and presented a good variety of ideas and concepts that would improve the overall usability of the facility, such as improvements to the Exhibit Building, barns and arenas, as well as smaller changes that would improve the user experience such as improved restroom facilities, better WiFi coverage and improved signage,” Bohren said via email.

To get more input on the options presented for the fairgrounds master plan, the county has extended the deadline to submit public comment through Monday, April 11.

The master plan will guide the evolution of the facility, which hosts over 1,000 events a year including the annual Boulder County Fair. However, the facility has not had any major upgrades since 1978.

Planners want to create a “far-reaching community events” complex by identifying meaningful ways to continue to serve the community, exploring future upgrades and maintaining a focus on the rural heritage and agriculture focus of Boulder County, according to a county news release.

Bohren said the public has been involved in crafting the future of the fairgrounds since Design Workshop was hired late last year. 

“I like that the public has been involved in the process, from smaller listening sessions with specific user grounds such as the farmer’s market, horse and dog shows and 4-H and the Boulder County Fair, to larger public presentations with different options presented and public input requested,” Bohren said.

A proposed master plan may be presented to the Boulder County Commissioners in May, according to county officials.

To submit comments through the public survey, go to Boulder County Fairgrounds Survey (surveymonkey.com)