Lewis County has issued a request for pre-design services for the proposed Southwest Washington Fairgrounds Equestrian Center, seeking engineering and design consultants to do up to roughly $200,000 of work to prepare for phase two of a construction project to create a covered equestrian center intended for year-round use.
“Lewis County Capital Facilities is soliciting proposals for pre-design services to include, but not be limited to, completing a site study, engineering and market needs evaluation to include projected uses of the center and related infrastructure needs for the proposed equestrian center at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds,” the Board of Lewis County Commissioners stated in a resolution approved by the board during its Jan. 28 meeting.
“Lewis County Capital Facilities is instructed to advertise a Request for Qualifications (RFQ), evaluate responses, select a firm, and negotiate a contract for engineering and design services for the proposed equestrian center,” the board states in the resolution.
“The pre-design activities will help to inform the design work for phase 2. Phase 2 will include additional barns, offices, and an open arena,” Lewis County Facilities states in the RFQ.
The future Southwest Washington Fair Equestrian Facility will provide a year-round venue for various equestrian shows, events, training and other agricultural events.
The anticipated maximum total value of the pre-design services is $199,820, according to the RFQ drafted by Lewis County Capital Facilities.
Lewis County has already secured $206,000 in state funding for site-specific study, planning, design and engineering of a covered equestrian center, according to previous Chronicle reporting.
When completed, state and local officials say the 180-foot by 240-foot covered equestrian center would serve as the centerpiece of a project to help revitalize the fairgrounds. The facility will have indoor seating for 480 spectators and allow expanded access for 4-H events, professional rodeos and other equestrian events year-round, Lewis County Parks and Recreation Administrator B.J. Kuykendall told The Chronicle in 2024.
The $206,000 in state funding was secured by state Rep. Peter Abbarno through his work as a ranking member on the House Capital Budget Committee.
During an interview with The Chronicle last year, Abbarno said the legislation will help “fix the financing mechanism for the fair and the county.”
“It’s going to change the way we improve the fairgrounds,” Abbarno said. “I’m really excited about how all of this has come together.”
The facility is intended to be a year-round venue for various equestrian shows, events, training and other agricultural events.
“This is a big step forward for the fair, for this community, and we are excited about it as you are,” Lewis County Commissioner Scott Brummer told The Chronicle last year. “I think this is going to be a transitional moment where the fair just keeps moving in a positive direction. This is going to have a huge impact on the community at large, and I’m excited to see it come to fruition.”
Any consultants looking to submit a statement of qualifications must do so by 5 p.m. on Feb. 24, according to the RFQ.
The statement of qualifications can be submitted online at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/lewiscountywa.
