Dateline: September 14, 2006

Supporters seek funds for new activity center

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

A new activity building is being planned by the Donley County Junior Livestock Association, but the facility’s uses would go far beyond the annual stock show, backers say.

The association, which has become fully incorporated as a non-profit organization, has acquired four acres of the old Thunder Junction site north of Clarendon, and President Larry Gray says his group wants to put up a new Donley County Activity Center on the vacant land.

 “The bottom line is that it will be for the whole county, and it’s not just for stock shows,” Gray said. “It will be for any organization – public or private, and the stock show is just one of many activities that will be held there.

“We also need to stress that it will be for the whole county and not just one community.”

The county stock show is currently held in the Clarendon Community Center, which is maintained by the Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association; but Gray says the livestock association has simply outgrown that facility.

Gray and County Agent Leonard Haynes say they and the livestock association’s board envision an approximately 16,000 square foot building with a large room for the show and large gatherings, a kitchen and concession area and small meeting room covering 800 square feet, and offices for the Donley County Cooperative Extension.

The building would also have two 3,000 square foot areas adjacent to the main room for housing show animals out of the elements.

Gray said the Friends of the Donley County Junior Livestock Association has been raising money for several years to help with this project and recently purchased the land for $10,000. He said the county has also been putting money toward the project for the last couple of years, and now $20,000 is on hand to go toward construction. The final cost is expected to be in the neighborhood of $250,000 to $300,000.

“We’re soliciting funds and writing grants at this time,” Gray said.

 When completed, the activity building, which will be owned by the livestock association, will be available to rent for family reunions, business meetings, organization meetings, church groups, and other functions. The county will also pay rent to the association for the extension agents’ office space.

“We’ve got the ball rolling, but we really need others to step up and help us,” Haynes said. “The Clarendon Chamber of Commerce has really been helpful and is organizing fundraisers.”

Haynes said letters of support are needed to bolster grant applications, and any donations to the project are fully tax deductible.