Boundary County Fair Board proposes increase in fairgrounds rental fees

BONNERS FERRY — The Boundary County Fair Board has proposed an increase in rental fees for the Boundary County Fairgrounds and its indoor facilities. If approved, the new rates would go into effect on Jan. 1.

Among the largest percent increases are the move-in and move-out fees, which increased 180% from $25 to $70 for buildings and the indoor arena, and 50% from $50 to $75 for the outdoor arena.

The largest dollar amount increases are commercial/gate admission and community event fees, both of which increased roughly 6% from $578 to $610 and $368 to $390, respectively.

Kitchen costs were also raised, including both the flat-rate kitchen fee and the weekly fee. The flat-rate fee would see an increase of 15%, from $78 to $93, and the weekly fee would be raised 5% from $262 per week to $275 weekly.

Every single fair fee increased, with the average fair fee raised by approximately 6.2%. The largest fair fee increases were the eight-by-12 foot non-profit pavilion, which spiked 11% from $63 to $70, the eight-by-eight foot business pavilion, which was raised 9.5% from $105 to $115, and the non-profit outside grounds area which increased 7.9% from $78.75 to $85.

Some of the rental fees that would remain the same include Memorial Hall, the equine boarding facility and horse barn, display cases and the usa of the public address system.

A complete list of the official proposed fee increase is available to public consumption at the Fair Board office.

The board will host a public hearing on Monday, Dec. 7, at 6567 Recreation Park Road to “receive public comment and to explain the reasons for the proposed increase of facility rental and fair fees.”