Enriched with a federal windfall, Volusia County’s leaders are pondering how to improve the fairgrounds.
The county government received $107 million, courtesy of the Congress and President Joe Biden, who last year signed into law the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act. The County Counci l has tentatively agreed to allocate $750,000 of its share of the ARPA funds to make the sprawling fairgrounds a better place for more activities.
“Our goal is to have this before the council in September,” county Resource Stewardship Director Brad Burbaugh said.
To find out what people outside government may want, the county hosted public meetings to give those who visit the fairgrounds for various events and activities the opportunity to offer their ideas. Top suggestions included:
— Acquire more land
— Improve the road network of the property
— Provide more restrooms
— Improve the drainage in the parking areas
—Add parking
— Set aside an area where aerial hobbyists may fly drones and remote-controlled aircraft
— Place more signs to direct visitors to various buildings, amenities and activities
“What we need to do is add another exit to Prevatt [Avenue],” Volusia County Fair Association General Manager Ronnie Hull said.
Though often identified as within the western portion of the county, the fairgrounds proved to be a somewhat central location for COVID-19 testing during the height of the pandemic in 2020 and early 2021.
Incidentally, for those who cannot wait, the 2022 Volusia County Fair and Youth Show takes place Nov. 3-13.
