News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The new Putnam County fairgrounds location will have the potential to host more than just the fair.
Mayor Randy Porter shared the first proposed plans for the facility with county commissioners Monday night. He said that the 160-acre location will house an expo center, a conference building, and venues for concerts and tournaments.
“The premiere part of the site will be the expo center,” Porter said. “A 50,000 square foot space will bring in all kinds of events and I even have some national events that are wanting to come here. ”
Porter said that after getting the dirt work and roads completed, he hopes to get the expo center built first. He said that with the expo center up and running, it would allow for revenue to start rolling in.
Porter said there would be a 300-stall barn, 3,500 new parking spaces, and an arena with the capacity for 7,500 covered seats.
With the fairgrounds only lasting 10 days out of the year, Porter said the county wanted the opportunity to utilize the site year-round. He said it presents an opportunity for tourism and local residents as well.
“Other than Leslie Town Center or Hyder-Burks there’s not much else as far as space to hold event,” Porter said. “So we’re looking at something that will allow our local events plus all these state and national events to come bring tourism dollars to the county.”
Porter said the need for a new location was a long time coming. As the old fairgrounds sit only at 43 acres, he said that the County had greatly outgrown the fairgrounds.
