Larry Kline
Havre Daily News
lkline@havredailynews.com
A group working to bring a special events center to Havre is moving one step closer to the creation of a master plan to revamp the entire Hill County Fairgrounds.
Craig Tilleman, who co-chairs the committee working on the Hi-Line Multipurpose Event Center, said the group is preparing to seek proposals for design of the master plan, which will include the event center and a separate visitor center, along with other improvements, such as paved parking and landscaping.
The plan may include new grandstands for the rodeo grounds, Tilleman said. He added that the group has not forgotten the 4-H'ers.
"There are some issues with some of their buildings that need to be addressed," he said. "We're going to make sure that those facilities are taken care of also."
Once the group receives the blessing of the Hill County Commission, the request for proposals from architectural and engineering firms will go out sometime next week, he added.
The plan will be paid for in part by $15,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding, with the match coming from local donations. So far the group has received $16,000 from area businesses and residents, along with pledges for another $6,000, Tilleman said.
A portion of that money will be used to develop a presentation of the project, which will be put on display in a booth at the Great Northern Fair. Tilleman said the group wants to hear ideas from fairgoers.
"We're in the concept stage right now, so we welcome anybody's input and ideas," he said. "We've been making some good progress on this project. If anybody has input, we're open to it."
Anyone who wants to be involved in the project can attend one of the group's meetings, held the last Monday of each month. The committee will present the proposals it receives Aug. 29 at 10 a.m. in the U.S. Bank meeting room.
Residents or business owners who would like to contribute to the project can contact fund-raising subcommittee chair Chuck Wimmer at Stockman Bank at 265-5831.
