Lewis County has authorized the signature of a contract with the state Department of Commerce to receive $199,820 appropriated to the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds Equestrian Facility Project in the 2024 supplemental state capital budget.
During the 2024 legislative session, state Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, secured $206,000 in the capital supplemental budget toward a “site-specific study, planning, design and engineering of a covered equestrian center,” according to previous Chronicle reporting.
Of that $206,000, Lewis County will actually receive $199,820, as the state Department of Commerce retains 3% to cover the administrative costs of administering the project, according to a letter from the state Department of Commerce dated May 16, 2024.
The Board of Lewis County Commissioners authorized the signature of a contract with the state Department of Commerce for the funding during its regular meeting on Feb. 25.
About a month prior, Lewis County issued a request for pre-design services for the proposed Southwest Washington Fairgrounds Equestrian Center, seeking engineering and design consultants to prepare for phase two of a construction project to create a covered equestrian center intended for year-round use.
The $199,820 will fully cover those pre-design services.
Any consultants looking to submit a statement of qualifications had until 5 p.m. on Feb. 24.
Once complete, the Southwest Washington Fair Equestrian Facility will provide a year-round venue for various equestrian shows, events, training and other agricultural events.
