The Douglas County Board of Supervisors met on April 2 to discuss the proposed Douglas County Fairgrounds Master Plan.
Douglas County is the owner and developer. Frame Architecture, Inc. is the master land planner, and Wood Rogers is providing engineering services.
The Master Plan is intended to turn the Fairgrounds into a year-round destination that focuses on community events, agriculture, recreation and emergency management.
If approved, the park will be expanded. Currently, it occupies 36 acres; the Master Plan would bring the total to 104.
One of the key elements of the Master Plan is the inclusion of an indoor event center. Other elements include additional restrooms, more robust parking areas, several arenas, equestrian facilities, an RV park and more community meeting spaces.
If approved, construction will be carried out across several phases. Phase One will consist of a 4,500-seat indoor events center, as well as improved parking infrastructure, resulting in the addition of 500 paved spaces.
The second phase will add a community building, a 192-stall horse barn, additional lawn space and 500 more parking spaces, with 100 emergency evacuation/event parking spaces.
Future phases are also planned that could add a covered arena, 4-H facilities, recreational amenities and trail connections.
Phases I and II have a combined construction cost of $154.4M. The first phase will be $87.4M, while the second will be $67M. The Board of Supervisors meeting was held after the publication deadline.
History
Douglas County’s Community Services Department recently released a Request for Proposals for the Indoor Event Center Study and the creation of a Land Use Site Plan for the Fairgrounds. Frame Architecture was then selected to complete the study and plan.
The study included stakeholder meetings and public outreach sessions to ensure the concept is ideal for residents and regional partners.
