Stark County fairgrounds waterlines getting $1.3 million upgrade

Paige Bennett, The Repository
·2 min read
Hannah Byler of Fredericksburg brushes Creek at Harvey Stable on Monday at the Stark County Fairgrounds in Canton.
Hannah Byler of Fredericksburg brushes Creek at Harvey Stable on Monday at the Stark County Fairgrounds in Canton.

CANTON ‒ The Stark County fairgrounds will undergo a nearly $1.3 million project this year to replace its dated underground waterline system.

The project will include a full replacement of the 3,850 feet of existing waterlines, along with the replacement of a pumphouse where the waterlines come together.

"It's a pretty large project, but it's been a long time coming," Stark County Administrator Brant Luther said.

Construction will be completed by Yarian Brothers Construction Inc., a company based in Columbiana County. Stark County commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding with the Stark County Agricultural Society earlier this month for the funding of the project.

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Waterline leaks and ruptures have become a common problem in recent years at 305 Wertz Ave. NW as the system has continued to age.

Jill Sterling, vice president of the Stark County Agricultural Society, said in an email that the fairgrounds deals with numerous breaks every year. She said the first lines were likely installed in the 1920s and have undergone small repairs over the years, but have never been replaced.

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Farrier Michael Miller from Holmes County on Monday works with Intense Storm, who is nicknamed Hagrid, at Harvey Stable at the Stark County Fairgrounds in Canton.
Farrier Michael Miller from Holmes County on Monday works with Intense Storm, who is nicknamed Hagrid, at Harvey Stable at the Stark County Fairgrounds in Canton.

Luther said the lines have also caused water pressure issues during the annual fair when 4-Hers are washing and grooming their animals as they get ready to show them.

"This system will better service those who use the fairgrounds for various events," Sterling said. "We anticipate monthly savings with this upgrade as well."

Luther said the agricultural society wants to get construction started as soon as possible and hopes it will be finished by mid-summer so it will be ready before this year's fair. The fair is scheduled for Aug. 29 through Sept. 4.

"The fairgrounds are a gem of Stark County," Luther said. "It's certainly historical, and it's a place where Stark countians gather every year, and young people gain a lot of skill and learn a lot of lessons. ... The commissioners were very happy to be able to work with the fair board on this important project."

Reach Paige at pmbennett@gannett.com, (330) 580-8577 or on Twitter at @paigembenn.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Stark County Fairgrounds undergoing $1.3 waterline replacement