Delaware County OKs fairground grandstands replacement

MUNCIE, Ind. (WISH) - Wednesday, the public will get its first look at a state report on the State Fair tragedy. But even before those findings are released, some officials around the state are taking steps at their own county fairgrounds to improve safety.

The report to be released Wednesday by the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration will outline findings, as well as safety measures that must be taken. But already, Delaware County fair organizers have gotten the go-ahead to replace the grandstand there.

The structure is more than 60 years old. In that time, and it has weathered many storms and has had a few minor repairs. Monday night, county commissioners approved a nearly $500,000 contract to replace the 23,000-seat structure.

"It was six companies that actually put bids in to replace the bleachers," said Delaware County Fair Board President Jim Mansfield.

The construction comes five months after the Indiana State Fair tragedy . Mansfield said they didn't want to see another tragedy,

"Safety is at the pulse of everything we do out here," he said.

Commissioners ordered the Delaware County grandstand off-limits last year after an engineering firm found several defects, including deterioration in the structure and base. Mansfield said some of the joints in the structure had also rusted to a point where it was dangerous.

"We had a lot more issues than what we really thought," he said.

Officials said when the project is complete, there will be more seating and a safer grandstand. The entire project is scheduled to be finished this summer.

The total project will cost $900,000. A local bank approved a line of credit for the Delaware County Fair Board to start the project. The Fair Board will seek grants and donations and have fundraisers to help repay the loan.