County fairgrounds may see changes, new museum

 

By DON PEASLEY
Special Correspondent

 

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Changes are under way at the McHenry County fairgrounds, which may include construction of a 20,000-square-foot building by the Northern Illinois Fire Museum on fairgrounds property immediately east of the drive adjacent to Building E. Some changes are definite, including significant improvements to existing buildings.
The McHenry County Fair Association and 4-H Club Town plan to paint the livestock buildings and repair the roof on the 4-H building and the Hansen Pavilion. With the fair possibly staying on Country Club Road for at least 10 more years, the fair board plans to upgrade and improve electrical services.
Still undecided is whether to construct a 1,500-seat bleacher facility or to restore the former grandstand with a seating capacity of 3,000. Part of the reason for the improvements, including the proposed Northern Illinois Fire Museum building, is to make the fairgrounds better able to hold a greater number of activities at the Country Club Road location during the year.
The Northern Illinois Fire Museum building is contingent on the museum raising an estimated $1.3 million for the building. Questions to be answered include obtaining necessary zoning and building permits and the ability to receive water and sewer service from the city of Woodstock.
Charles Beard, one of three fair board members on the committee discussing the museum location on the fairgrounds, said the agreement includes showers and toilet facilities available for people using the fairgrounds for community projects. As proposed, a banquet room and the museum building would also be available for rental by community organizations.
Roger Dreher, museum president, said the museum board’s plan for the building includes space to display the museum’s 16 trucks, antique ladders, hoses and other tools.
A fair board committee consisting of Beard, Gary Aavang and Dan Fruin will continue to meet with county and city officials to determine the feasibility of obtaining necessary permits.
The discussion for a similar museum first arose in 2005 when the fair board anticipated relocating to Highway 14 and Rose Farm Road on a 100-acre site. During fair board negotiations with owners of the property more than two years ago, museum board officials met with fair board members to discuss constructing a museum building on the fairgrounds.

 

This article was published in the March 12, 2008 edition of The Woodstock Independent.