Full steam ahead for Feichtner barn
Dec. 20—NORWALK — Roger Hunker calls himself a tightwad.
When talk started about a new barn at the Huron County Fairgrounds, Hunker said he wanted to go basic and keep the costs down.
But now, it's full steam ahead — and more help is coming.
That basic barn is now growing by the day. The hope is it will be more than just a barn, but a building everybody can use 365 days a year.
After the 2021 COVID-19-related death of lifelong Huron County farmer and cattleman John Feichtner, his grandsons, Owen and Nash — themselves frequent livestock exhibitors — began a funding campaign to build the new barn in John's memory.
Tragically, in the fall of 2021, John's wife, Donna, died, as did Owen in a car crash later the same day. Interested parties, family members and friends throughout the Huron County community rallied to continue the building effort.
The Feichtner Memorial Charitable Fund Committee is working with the Huron County commissioners. On Tuesday, Hunker was on hand along with Huron County Fair Board member Dick Wiles.
The current plan is to replace the current swine, rabbit and poultry barns with a concrete floor and foundation, exposed three feet above grade; blanket insulation in the celing and walls; public restrooms; and a sprinkler system.
During fair week, the building will also be potentially used as a show ring, along with having swine and goat pens.
The rest of the year, the building can be used for livestock shows, conventions, home shows, meetings, weddings and other events.
The current estimated cost is $2.4 million without site work. The current estimated cost with site work and inside wash rack is $2.7 million.
Funding:
$524,000 — Current pledges not yet received (Ohio Capital Grant, Huron County commissioners and Ag Credit)
$98,483.13 — Junior Fair sales in 2021 and 2022
$190,811.56 — money received at NEDC
$1,950 — BW Final Drive
$815,244.69 — Total to date
$185,000 — estimated fundraising to come
$1.5 million to $1.8 million — request from ARPA (federal grants)
The committee will continue to do fundraising through gifts and grants.
Timeline:
—Committee began November 2021
—Received capital grant in July 2022
—USDA grant deadlines Jan. 31, 2023
—Release bid packet February 2023
—Award bid March 2023
—Removal of current buildings September 2023
—Move electrical service October 2023
—Complete site prep November 2023
—Building supplies begin arrival November 2023
Commissioners said a multi-use building with restrooms would benefit the entire community and are all on board with the use of ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act).
"We can vote on it at the Jan. 5 board meeting. I will have it for you on about the 10th," Wiles said. "I just want to keep things going in a straight direction with the horse in front of the cart, not behind the cart. We are right at $600,000 that is secured."
"There are steps. You have state money. You have county money. Now you may have federal money," commissioner Terry Boose said. "Make sure we follow all of those rules. Before you got out to bid you have to have all of the money secured.
"To do this project we need everybody on board. One of the nice things about this ... you might be able to generate some money for the fair so you can maintain the building."
Commissioner Skip Wilde said he was thrilled to possibly use one-time money and ARPA money.
"So everybody can benefit from it," Wilde said.
Added commissioner Harry Brady, "We really appreciate what the fair board does for us. We show up in August and 'there is it.' It takes a lot. It is one of those thankless jobs. We desperately need some ADA bathrooms for everybody who comes."
Hunker said the goal is to make it a true community building.
"There are unlimited uses beyond that (other than the fair)," he said. "To keep us on pace, we really need by February to put this bids out. I want it done by July 1 of 2024. That gives us at least month to finish things up to get ready for the fair."
