Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-02-28
MEMBERS OF FAIR BOARD
FAVOR ENLARGEMENT OF
OLD GROUNDS.
COMMITTEE TO GET PRICE
ON ADJOINING TRACTS
II Plan Of Expansion Can Be Car.
risd Out at Reasonable Price, Pro.
jeot Contemplating Aoauirsmsnt OF
Now Site viii Be Abandonsd--Ex.
tensivs improvements Proposed.

Altho no final action was taken,
the executive committee Of the Mar
shall County Fair Association. at q
meeting Friday afternoon at the Of
flee Of Secretary w. NJ. Clark,
reached an agreement to retain the
present fair grounds site and acquire
found additional land can be had at a
reasonable price. A committee, COM
posed Of c. H. Kemler, city; F. c.
Davis, Bangor, and John z. Smith,
Laurel, named at previous meeting
to investigate probable new sites and
determine whether or not II would be
advisable to move, made report,
and this committee was continued to
investigate the possibility of acquir-
ing land adjoining the present
grounds.
Because Of the switching facilities,
excellent street car service and easy
walking distance for many Of the
residents of the city, the present loca-
ton is regarded by the executive
committee as affording far better adj
vantages than any new site might
offer for some years to come. 1t is
reasoned that the present park may
be made much more desirable than
new locations proposed, by the pur-
chase Of additional land and at a far
less outlay Of money.
May Secure Large Tract.
It is possible, thru purchase Of adj
joining property, to increase the park
to a tract Of forty-five or more acres,
large enough to meet all the require
ments of a county fair for some years
to come, and as large or larger than
tracts now owned by district fairs
turnout the state.
The committee has been instructed
to obtain price on properties needed
and to report its findings as early
as possible. A special meeting Of the
executive committee will be called as
soon as the special committee notifies
the secretary it is ready to report.
The committee also will confer
with a committee Of the Marshall
County Pure Bred Live Stock Asso-
citation on the location and expense
Of a Judging and sales pavilion, which
may be erected this summer.
May Mean Extensive Changes.
: n the committee Is SUCCESSFUL IN
securing options on property desired,
at reasonable figure. the executive
committee probably will take imme-
date steps to purchase and the ac-
quirement Of more ground will be fol-
lowed by extensive improvements at
the park. These improvements prob
ably will include the construction OF
new race track. to the southeast of
I the present track, and the erection of
new amphitheater. Some Of the
present buildings on the grounds may
be moved to new locations and some
new buildings may be erected.
The program Of improvements pos
sibly may cover a period Of two or
three years and include the erection
Of permanent exhibition halls OF
brick or other fireproof material. BY
! moving the race track the space now
| devoted to concessions and that now
| occupied by exhibition halls will be
greatly enlarged. Much more room,
also will be obtained for the swine
and sheep exhibits. and by pushing
| to the eastward the present show
barns for cattle and horses can be
greatly enlarged. It is probable, how
ever, that the entire exhibition space
may be re-arranged and all live stock
4 eventually be shown in one section.
Amphitheater Badly Needed.
The increased attendance last yea,
proved beyond q doubt the need Of
a larger amphitheater, and 1t is tn.
intention Of the board to make tn,
new stands. more suited to comfort
and less hazardous to spectators. The
old portion OF the stands is falling
into decay and soon must be re.
| placed. It Is regarded as a need1es,