HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-05-23-minutes-event-center-study-sessionKITTITAS COUNTY
EVENT CENTER STUDY SESSION MINUTES
BOCC CONFERENCE ROOM, 205 WEST 5TH ROOM 108 - ELLENSBURG
Regular Meeting
MONDAY 1 10:00 AM _ May
23, 2022
Board members present: Commissioner Osiadacz (WebEx), Commissioner Wachsmith, and
Commissioner Wright
Others: KVEC Director Kady Porterfield, KVEC Program Manager Lacie Dawson (Webex),
Fair Board Director Becky Sherly (WebEx)
1. General Event and Rental Updates: There were 77 events held on grounds in May and
82 in April. WSHS Rodeo was back for the first time in several years and was well attended.
JWPT Riders decided to bypass and stay in Kittitas this year (they showed up several hours
early and decided to keep going). Bares and Broncs had good attendance as well. There will
be a circus at the beginning of June, they will not be bringing any large/exotic animals.
2. Self -Promoted Events Business: Patriot Night ticket sales are a bit slow, but radio and
newspaper ads will pick up again in the beginning of June locally, down to Yakima, up to
Wenatchee, and over to Seattle. We are getting a lot of non -local ticket sales, which is great,
and believe that stems from the social media campaigns that we launch a little further out. No
new updates on Fair currently.
3. Sponsor Business: Legends signs have been installed on the South Grandstands. The Fair
Sponsorship Director expressed some concerns at the last Fair Board meeting about it.
Commissioner Wright suggested a meeting with the fair and rodeo boards to discuss the
financial needs of year-round operation of the event center.
Legends and King Beverage will be the event sponsors for Patriot Night Under the
Lights, which is additional funding directed specifically to the event.
4. Special Projects: The Fair Board met last week to discuss the proposed railroad project
brought forward from the Kittitas County Fair Railway group. The Board will be sending a
report to the Commissioners.
Cow Pens: The Rodeo Board would like to add tabs on the panels so they can attach
wood to make the location look more rustic. Kady has worked to scale the project down to
where the additional tabs will cost only $3500 and the Rodeo Board has agreed to cover that
portion for their aesthitic needs. Panel equipment will be purchased after Fair and Rodeo, and
installed on the next budget cycle. Kady will go through the budget and discuss further at the
next meeting.
Rodeo Arena Sound System: Needs repairs, approximately $6,000. Speakers are blown,
the new speaker heads do not fit properly. The mixer was also bad. As a work -around the
bowling alley system has been setup temporarily.
Palouse to Cascades Trail Project: Reaching out to events to give them alternate entry
ways as the City conducts the upgrades and construction along Alder. There will be weekly
meetings Kady will attend to get project updates.
CWU N. Lot: first meeting was cancelled, no news to report at this time.
2022-05-23 MINUTES
Armory Paving: Waiting for further information from Public Works so it can be sent out
for bids. Kady is working to get the handicapped parking space included. Kady also noted
that some of the pavenent is sinking from the heavy winter use of the vaccine clinic, which
she would like repaired during the same time, if the budget of the grant will allow for it.
OTHER BUSINESS: None
Meeting adjourned at 10:27am.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
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Kady Pa field Laura Osiadacz, Chairman
2022-05-23 MINUTES 2