intheloop: They're not as different as you might think.

Actually wisconsinheat, what they have working there is a (supposedly) supervised group of the RECAP inmates. I consider that different than an inmate that they let out the door for 12hrs to go to work but really have no idea where he was the whole time because they don't have the resources or time to check up on each one of them.

I believe that any money from the sale of the current fair grounds would not go to the county but to the J.A. Craig Family trust. He was the orginal owner of the property and I think that the county has use of it as long it is a fair grounds. The land around the fair grounds was sold off by the Craig family. The original fair grounds included all the land between Randall and Milton Ave. The infield of the horse racing track is where Adams School sits. A friend of mine found a horse shoe there with a metal detector.

Do you know how many inmates work at the fair as it is now?
Quite a few.

Remember what is directly across the street from this proposed location, the Rock County Jail. There are alot of inmates a day that walk along that area that are supposed to be heading out to work or at least looking for it. It may never be a problem but it is food for thought considering how many kids are around there during fair week.

The only reason to NOT move the fairgrounds to the farm location that I can see is the potential revenue that could be generated by selling the same land for commercial/residential development. Look at the area around the County Farm and you'll see a lot of homes going up. Being on two major highways also makes the area ripe for some commercial buildings. Personally, I'd rather see a fairground there than some more big boxes and homes.
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For alll those complaining about the "only one week a yaer" thing, I think the point here would be to create a facility that could be put to more use than the current fairground - making it a better long-term investment.
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Also - revenue for this project could be raised by selling the current fairground land for development.

greengina8: I don't think the county isn't looking at replacing that land, but it is a much better use of it. Let's face it eventualy that land will be converted from farm land to something else. Let's make it a fair grounds and stop it from becoming another area for strip malls, restruants and homes. At least that way we can use land the county already owns, and provide ample space for the fair with parking and get away from the congested city streets around the fair(they go on for blocks!),and make it so the "neighbors" don't have anything to complain about (noise, parking etc..) I hate seeing farm land used, but this is the ideal spot and I thank the county board for finally trying to make it a reality. This is something that can really be good for Rock County. Let's make it happen!

I understand some of your concerns over the comercialism as you put it at the fair. However each and every one of those booths pay a fee to be there. Without them, the cost to get into the fair would skyrocket. Besides I like going around to the tents and getting all of my freebies ! LOL I have to be at fair all day - every day and walking around to the comercial tents helps to pass the time. Every other fair and event out there has some sort of vendors. Besides like I said before, they help to pay the bills. As for alcohol/beer I agree it should not be allowed for fair week, but could be for other events.

Expansion doesn't necessarily have to mean sprawl into rural areas. There are several other suitable sites for this facility around the city, and in other parts of the county. The City of Janesville needs to adopt a resolution putting a permanent and final border around the city and build only within those limits. If the county wants to build a fairgrounds on the county farm, how will they replace the land they loose? Is someone donating more farmland to make up the difference?

What is a tractor pull without beer?

4HMom: I agree they shouldn't have alcohol during the fair.
But they also shouldn't have commercialism (hawking every product under the sun) or politics (the Democrat and Republican tents).

My children and family are VERY involved in 4H. Although I don't like losing farmland to any development, I do think the county farm would make an excellant location for a much needed expanded fairgrounds. I hold many memories of the present location, but know that it's time to expand. I too think the idea of businesses, private investors/donations and probably even 4H clubs helping raise money are all valid ideas. My main concern when planning the new fairgrounds is to keep the fair youth orientated. I know alcohol draws money, but that is not what the week of the 4-H fair is about. If they want alcohol available at other venues held there (ie. car shows, etc., that is fine), but please not during the fair.

It was once a youth fair and should go back to being a youth fair. Get rid of all the commercialism and politics and there would be plenty of room to keep it where it's at.

"Just for the record...the Rock County fair is a youth fair not a county fair even though it bears the name."

Well then! If this is a "Youth Fair" why is the entertainment geared at the adults? I know very few youths who get excited about the bands and individuals who have been headlining. There should be pop acts and bands that have actually been heard of by the young ones as well as the grownups.

Why isn't there a poll so the people who choose the music can see what the people want?

Tommytaxpayer: Have you ever been to any events at the fair grounds durring the other 51 weeks a year? They can be crowded as well! I was just at the fair grounds on Tue for a auction (another great use of the grounds in the off season)There was no where to park! I have gone to many events that are held there year round and more space is needed. I attend other fair grounds as well throughout the year for various events (small animal swaps, rabbit/pigeon shows, auctions, even weddings)it's time we expand to be able to offer the same and promote our entire County.

There is so much more we could do and recieve rental fees as well to help pay for the cost of the new grounds.

I also agree that so much more activities could be planned for the new fair grounds, as stated before: car swaps, horse shows, small animal swaps, weddings, reunions, dog shows, club meetings, and oh so very much more! If money is part of the problem then let's talk with buisness about donating. Blains Farm & Fleet comes to mind, also ABC supply, GM,etc... etc... Give them naming rights to buildings and such. We could also start a fund drive like they do for the 4th of July fireworks. I'm sure 4H clubs would also jump at the chance to help raise money, as would many others in the community. We need to make this a reality! Something all of Rock County can have a hand in and be proud of.

Anyone have more ideas on how we can accomplish this?

holy hotdogs batman "here we go again" seems like its open season on taxpayers. most comments say, go for it, okay now guess who gets to pay for it, you do. The present grounds is crowded/small one week in a year, for 51 weeks it is fine. Who says Government is in charge of providing your entertainment. Come on, if its profitable why doesnt private money step to the plate and rake it in. Reason - it wont be profitable, so again more tax levy each and every year, oh in case you forgot, that will come from you, those of you who already complain about high tax bills. A year around venue is just plain rediculous. Dane county among many other loose money each year, guess who picks up the tab. Correct, you do. The city of Janesville has long range plans for the land, check on how they see it being zoned, not for entertainment, animals and noise, on that you can bet the farm. Bad idea, bad location, please stop this never ending drain on the taxpayer pocket book.

baglady: as a member of the Rock River Thresheree I would like to tell you that it is NOT county land. Our Club/Organization owns the land and has for many years.I am glad that we have the chance to move the fair grounds out to the old county farm. I would rather see a fair grounds then more home and strip malls etc...
The fair has needed to be moved for a very long time, and I can foresee repairs to the aging buildings in the near future costing more than to build new. Let's get off our butts and do something this time ! It is needed and we can do so much more year round with the grounds, and not bother "the neighbors" .

Just for the record...the Rock County fair is a youth fair not a county fair even though it bears the name.

In addition I believe its still the largest youth fair in the United States. Granted its not what it was when I was in 4-H, The Block Building, Blackhawk, and Craig Center aren't packed full like they used to be.

Ticket prices for the fair are reasonable, there's plenty of free entertainment in addition to every thing else.

The fair is about the Rock County youth, just keep that in mind...the kids are working hard all year long just to show you the residents of Rock County their end result and hard work.

As long as they put it in a place with enough trees, houses, and other concealment so I dont get caught jumping the fence.

Leave the farm land alone. The current fair ground are good enough for the RC4H fair. This is just plain dumb to burn out good farm land when the current site is good enough

make sure a good noise allowance is included in the zoning. if it is to be multi-purpose then noise WILL be made. don't let a few people spoil the fun of thousands. if a water park is to become a reality then put it there. also how about things that attract out of town people. some examples COULD be; bmx bike racing, go cart track, paintball facility, concerts (one week teeny bopper then country, rock etc.) some type of act twice a month. also horse shows. heck, there could be 2 or 3 things a week during good weather and if they use their heads we could have indoor entertainment all year. DO NOT let them build it so no one comes!!!!!!!! they could make this the biggest thing to hit town in years if not forever.

Once you convert farmland to something else, its gone forever. The county farm should remain the county farm.

just pick a new spot for the fair make sure you will be able to expand in the future. Then take the old fair grounds and turn it into a water park

i live in walworth county and let me say our fair is great. iv been going for 20 years and it just gets bigger and better. but also the fairgrounds get a lot more use than just the fair. there is always something going on there summer weekends and different times throughout the year. whether it be horse races, tool sales, car shows and swap meets, relay for life walks, haunted houses, craft fairs. you name it it is held on the fair grounds through out the year.

they really need to move the fairgrounds. it is more like a little carnival than a county fair. look at wolworth county and their fairgrounds. it is ten times bigger than rock countys. they have more diverse entertainment, truck and tractor pulls, and much much more. living in Janesville i wish i didnt have to drive all the way to elkhorn to enjoy a county fair.

Ken Hendricks was a great guy, but that was NOT a great deal except for the landowner, who needed a tax break THAT YEAR. Forcing the county to rush into a decision this big wasn't any kind of gift. We already have the county farm and it's a great location (and a lot bigger than that racetrack/ballpark parcel proposal).
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The county farm, after investment, would make a great multi-use facility. It would help make 51 a "northern entrance" to Janesville again. There's plenty of land for whatever needs (including flat space for a midway). We know this needs to happen, so biting the bullet and starting the transition is better done sooner than later. I can imagine a larger fairgrounds attracting more activities and more participants than ever.
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Is Thresherman's Park even public land? I don't think the county owns it. Actually, it looks like the Thresheree 501(c)3 owns it.
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People also need to remember that the homes around the fairgrounds were built on ... the old fairgrounds. Yes, the county sold some of that land for Janesville's development, decades ago.
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And finally, remember that the aquatics facility question is a CITY OF JANESVILLE budget item. The fairgrounds is a ROCK COUNTY budget item.

I realize that the fair grounds are too small and need to expand, but can't at its current location. I would love to see a larger facility for this/these events. Does this facility have to be built on county farm land? Can it be built somewhere else or does it have to be in Janesville?

They missed the boat when they turned down the proposal involving the late Ken Hendricks.
The county board always has been late to the game. Don't expect this to be any different.

Horse pulls, demolition derbies, and big named acts like they had at the Daytona 500 this year (Chubby Checker, Kool & the Gang, and Michael MacDonald) Yeaaaaaahaaaaaaaaaw.

As long as they don't put an aquatic center there. What a waste that would be.

I'm surprised they didnt try to eminent domain the homes near the current grounds so they could expand.

The fairgrounds should had been move 10-15 yrs ago. Nope, lets wait until it costs ALOT more.

You can't really put rides up on Thresheree land and expect then NOT to tip over. It is all hills out there...and it is private property.

I am sad to see that the County Board still hangs on to the old "farmer supervisors" school of thought when it comes to capital projects that benefit everyone. Moving the fairgrounds is a great big BOON to Rock County! With wide open space, modern buildins and equipment, parking, etc., we could offer the public everything the surrounding counties have that we don't. Horse pulls, demolition derbies, bigger named acts--all we have are old acts and the most exciting thing to see at the fair now is the sale of animals and eating eclaires. Think outside of the week of the fair. With new facilities, the county could draw other events and gain more revenue for the county. Come on, County Board, think about what is best for us! If you could have approved this sooner, would you have slapped us with the half cent tax? Could you have asked the Jeffris family to let the County out of the the covenant of not being able to sell the present fairgrounds and use that money to help finance the new grounds (and name it in their honor?)

Has anyone considered using the Thresheree land - it is out in the country, it has parking, and the beginnings of infrastructure and sits empty most of the year as well. Let us use what we have set aside already to be frugal. It would be a win-win situation

The proposed location sounds great but how much will admission be jacked up?

I'm guessing there will be a fee for parking and and ever-increasing gate admission. Unless the fair can start wowing the public with better, more diverse musical acts (read more than just country) and showcasing the 4H rather than making the animals and projects a sideshow on the midway...I'd consider spending money there again. I can't wait until there is more room to move at the Fair!

In addition ot my previous comment, the current fairgrounds are multi use and not just used for the fair.

There could be more possibilities for further utiliziation of the grounds if they were moved and parking, traffic, and space weren't such a nightmare as they are now.

It is a great location for the Fairgrounds but I think that setting aside only 100 acres is shortsighted. Think of future parking and other expansion needs. The county has a lot more than 100 acres out there, set aside more.

I've been saying for years that the county farm property would be the best place to relocate the fair grounds. It would make it easier for all involved. Parking for trucks & trailers could be included so as not to have to block off any roads and make it safer and easier for loading and unloading of livestock and supplies. Food court could be designated much easier away from the barns. Midway could be seperated and a nice new stage and grandstand area. I was in 4-H and now my daughter is in 4-H the current fairgrounds, while they hold many wonderful memories, are such a pain in the neck for kids taking and picking up projects walking several blocks because there's no parking nearby. Parking for project drop off and pick up could be implemented at the new site as well. I'd say its about time and this would be the smartest thing the county could do.

I still think this is the best location for the fairgrounds. Easy access on 2 major highways....near town....lots of space for buildings and parking... on land that the county already owns. Time to move ahead with this.

Why does this County Board punish themselves like this?
I followed the county jail issue, the nursing home issue, Janesville's water park issue, and the other fairgrounds issue from a year ago. Despite some who feel there are "county" issues and "city" (Janesville/Beloit) issues, when it comes to land use, the possibilty of a multi-use entertainment/fairgrounds complex and taxation and municiple bonds, shouldn't their be a regional government agreement to serve the entire county?
As an outsider looking in, I am curious why Janesville would not simply annex the county farm, for either economic developement, or to expand that landfill that is receiving garbage from other commuities in Southern WI & Northern IL?
Land use issues are huge, so why not be bold and either lock-up the farm with a fairgrounds plus, so Janesville's boundary stops, or, work collaboratively with the 2 cites to make the county really something special.
These supervisors in Rock County are just not willing to see anything beyond their next election. Which is the norm with any elected office I 'spose.

Like the reader before i am also asumeing that this will be a multi us facility we need a new fairgtounds an i have worked at the fair many years now so this is whats need 1 the fairgrounds need more space 2 the curent fairgrounds is to landlocked meaning there is no way to expand the fairgrounds an it gets harder to find parking around the fairgrounds
3 many of the buildings on the grounds are going to require repair an i feel with these considerations that the time has come to move the fairgrounds so i hope this gets serious consideration at tonights meeting

I'm assuming that this would be a multi-use facility, not just a location for the fair.

Therefore would this not be a better way to spend funds in lieu of a waterpark or some other limited use facility?

If this community is to grow, we need to be able to offer opportunities such as a year-round multi-use facility that is readily accessable and has easy parking.