EVANSTON — During a discussion on proposed improvements at the fairgrounds, concerns were raised about the quality of the dirt in the rodeo arena. Jeff Breininger, county capital projects coordinator, presented plans for storm drain improvements at the fairgrounds during the Evanston City Council work session on Tuesday, Jan. 23.

“The county and the city have invested $2.3 million into improvements at the fairgrounds, and we have nice grandstands now,” Breininger said. “We are moving forward on other improvements, and I am here to ask the council to consider approving partnering with the county for improvement to the storm drains and some other needs at the property.”

Breininger said the storm drain system was never connected to the fairgrounds and water holes develop when there is a rainy season like spring. The fire department had a big water hole in front of their building all season, he said.

Currently, the storm drain ends at the fairgrounds gate; the engineer’s plan is to extend the drain behind the fire hall, behind the small arena next to the RV park and then to extend it behind Hamblin Park and into the Sunset Motel property. Catch basins will have to be developed to catch the water and funnel it into the storm drains.

Breininger said $1.3 million is still needed for improvements at the fairgrounds, which will include the storm drains and approximately $500,000 for the new restrooms, which will eventually be placed at each end under the grandstands. The county is going to hire an architect to draw up some plans so they will be ready to start on the restrooms in the fall to have them ready for the 2025 rodeo season.

The county is asking the city to provide $617,612 to help with the storm drain project and the grading that needs to be done at the fairgrounds. Breininger said the county has already added another $560,000 in funds for improvements to the fairgrounds.

“Extensive regrading will be need to be done and lots of dirt will have to be hauled in to provide adequate drainage on the property, so the water goes into the storm drains,” Breininger said.

Mayor Kent Williams reminded the council that the city owns the fairgrounds and the county has leased the property for many years. He said the county has had a 50-year lease, and it expires around 2050, when the city will more than likely extend it for another 50 years. As part of that lease, the county has provided the maintenance for the property.

Councilmember Jesse Lind asked if this would be an enterprise fund project.

“Yes, but we haven’t budgeted it in for this year. … We can certainly include it in our budget discussions for the next year,” Williams said.

Councilmember Jen Hegeman asked Breininger what they used for footing dirt in the arena and he said they use an arena blend, which is friendly to horses. He said there is no base under it, it is dirt all the way down.

Hegeman asked why they didn’t use new technology that offers an ingredient in the dirt footing to decrease the amount of water used and it is more effective and cheaper. She said she has Olympic-level experience with the type of dirt required for arenas.

“The heart and soul of the arena is the dirt (footing),” Hegeman said. “By using proper arena footing, we provide a safer competition ground for our kids and local equestrians and open up opportunities to become part of an upper-level circuit.”

Water is the most expensive operating cost for an arena and, during a drought, use of water will get tighter, Hegeman said. If they used an additive or substrate to the footing dirt, they could save on the amount of water and reroute it for other uses, she added.

Councilmember Mike Sellers said he knows people who have $250,000 horses who won’t let them run in the Evanston rodeo arena because of the type of dirt used. Breininger said he would research the dirt concerns.

Although the county is focusing on the storm drain extension starting in fall, other plans for the fairgrounds are to pour cement in front of the grandstands next to the street and ending at Bear River Drive.

The vendors will be on concrete, although they will not be putting cement completely under the grandstands because they will be putting sewer lines in there this year.

Breininger also discussed improvements the county is making at the shooting range where law enforcement holds their training. There are some problems with down range shooting going over the heads of people and also with water drainage at the location.

The shooting range is locked up until spring, when they will start to work on the issues. Breininger is working with law enforcement to collaborate on the improvements.

The second discussion at the work session concerned a preliminary plat of the Burnt Hill addition, a major commercial subdivision off Cheyenne Drive. Gareth Powell of Forsgren Engineering, representing Gary Ellingford, presented the preliminary plat design to the council.

“We know we have a few challenges with the area being on a hill, like deep man holes, but we will work with the public works department on those,” Powell said.

The Burnt Hill addition proposes a 19-lot subdivision, with lots 2 through 17 zoned business/light manufacturing and lots 1 west, 1 east, 18 and 19 zoned community business/developing (CB-D). Most of the lots are half-acre, a good size for commercial development, Powell said.

Sewer and water lines will be tied in from across Cheyenne Drive near the LDS Church. Land will be deeded to the city and they will take care of all curb, gutter and sidewalks.

A probable date for the project to be heard at first reading will be the first city council meeting in March.