The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

Promoters of the erection of an indoor arena at the Blaine County Fairgrounds are optimistic site work could begin sometime in the spring of 2018. Members of the Blaine County Fair Foundation say they have sufficient designated contributions to begin site work, the first phase of the project.

Several years ago Blaine County acquired a new, surplus 100' by 200' foot metal building from Malmstrom Air Force Base. Serious fundraising to erect the building began this year. The Fair Foundation, organized this year, provides a means for raising tax deductible gifts to erect the metal building that would house the indoor arena.

Fundraising for the indoor arena quickens

Most recently representatives for the Foundation received a community grant from Northwest Farm Credit Services (Northwest FCS) in the amount of $1,500.

Northwest FCS spokesperson Stephannie Klein said, "The grant is part of the company's program to support rural community projects." Northwest FCS makes the $500-$5,000 grants four times a year. Once the indoor arena project is underway, additional applications for grants can be made to Northwest FCS.

Klein added, "We welcome applications from non-profit organizations for projects that improve rural communities within Montana, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska." The application process and requirements are available at: northwestfcscom/ruralgrants. The next deadline is February 1.

Earlier this fall the Fair Foundation received a $1,000 community grant from Triangle Communications. That grant is part of a program that supports projects by non-profits working to improve rural communities.

A Montana state tourism grant was also submitted. If funded, that grant would be used to offset some of the cost of the arena. An announcement regarding projects that will receive funding from the Montana tourism program is expected sometime in December.

Foundation members staged a multi-week "Holiday Cash Lottery" that will end with a final drawing on December 18. The goal was to raise $1,500 during the five-week series of drawings. Laura Kleinjan, Foundation Treasurer, said ticket sales went well and there is a good prospect the goal could be reached.

In November a $1,000 challenge grant for the indoor arena was received by the Foundation from an anonymous donor. That grant challenges other donors to 'match' their contribution toward the $1000 challenge grant total.

In early December Dr. Bob and Maureen Schmitt and their Chinook Vet Clinic gave $250 toward the challenge grant. They challenged other donors to help meet the rest of the challenge.

Foundation members and promoters of the indoor arena believe raising awareness about the project and generating additional financial support will quicken as progress with the construction begins. Dennis and Laura Kleinjan, both working to raise funds for the indoor arena, said, "We are hopeful that as potential donors see the work progress on the arena they will step up to support the completion of the arena."

Site work for new indoor arena planned for spring

This photo looks southwest toward the grandstand at the Blaine County Fairground. The check marks indicated three of the four corners of the pad on which the proposed indoor arena would be located (The flag for the fourth corner is beyond the right side edge of the photograph). The circled pile of material, removed from the rodeo arena during a wet fair season a couple of years ago, will be spread over the pad site and pit run gravel will then be added and leveled to grade.

The initial site work will be done by Moxley Construction. The company's proposal includes building a 120 by 220 feet pad, preparing a 'grub area' and laying out existing material already at the site. The proposal also includes hauling 1200 yards of pit run gravel, watering the added fill and rolling the pad to grade. Dan Moxley said, "We are planning to begin work in the spring. We'll grub (remove vegetation) from the pad site and spread some existing material we earlier removed from the rodeo arena during a very wet fair season a couple of years ago, then we'll add and grade the new fill."

You can make a tax deductible contribution any time to help erect the new indoor arena. Gifts given before the end of the year will be matched, up to $1000, by the anonymous challenge grant. Make checks payable to the Blaine County Fair Foundation and note if you want the money to be used toward the indoor arena project. Mail to the Fair Board Foundation at Box 1207, Chinook, Montana 59523. You can call 945-1118 for information about making a gift to the Blaine County Fair Foundation. Gifts can be designated to support the new indoor arena or other projects at the fairgrounds.