Mike Wolanin | The Republic Livestock pens and people are silhouetted in the livestock barn during the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, June 29, 2021.
After waiting over 30 years to upgrade sewer, water and electrical service at the Bartholomew County Fairgrounds, county officials learned the project has stalled.
Two project engineers from Strand and Associates were present when bids were scheduled to be opened by contractors willing to do the work.
However, there were no bids submitted to install a sanitary sewer service, electrical pedestals and water upgrades at the fairgrounds south of Garden City.
“I think it’s a little bit of the sign of the times,” Bartholomew County Commissioners chairman Carl Lienhoop said. “Plenty of work. Shortage of materials. Escalating prices…”
“The schedule might also have something to do with it,” said Commissioner Tony London.
The two Strand engineers agreed with London. So did fair board President Rick Trimpe.
“I think the reason they didn’t get bids is that it’s too close to the fair,’ Trimpe said.
While the fair board originally hoped the work would be completed in time for the nine-day fair that begins June 24, time isn’t in the county’s favor.
“What we are going to do is wait until after the fair is over,” Trimpe said. “We should be able to get some more competitive bids at that time.”
Strand engineer Steve Ruble said his company will talk with some contractors to see if they can stir up some interest in the project.
In the past, a lack of funding has always been cited as the reason why sanitary sewer service, electrical pedestals and water upgrades couldn’t be installed at the fairgrounds. However, the project qualifies for funding through the American Rescue Plan on two different levels.
First, the money can be used to help industries such as tourism, travel and hospitality that were harmed by the virus. That includes the local fair board, which experienced a dramatic drop in rentals for both camping and private events in 2020. That loss of income, which included no income from parking fees when the 2020 fair was canceled, was so devastating that a loan had to be taken out to put on last year’s fair, Trimpe said.
Second, the federal government also allows ARP money to be spent on necessary investments in water and sewer infrastructure. With city wells located in the vicinity of the fairgrounds, the sanitary sewer and water improvement project at the fairgrounds has gained significant importance, county officials said.
