NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas State Fair General Manager Bryan Schulz said they met with the architects this week to send the construction drawings for the Bison Arena project out for bids. He's not sure exactly how much it will cost, at the end of the day.
"We'll kind of play it by ear," Schulz said. "We're in the midst of fundraising. They're able to come in and give us a rough estimate. To do the full on project, they are estimating about $36 million. That is doing a full enclosing of the envelope. That's retuckpointing, new windows, new roof, new everything. That includes all the electrical, plumbing, all that kind of stuff. Also, a birthing center and the gardens on the south side. That's the full package."
The Kansas Legislature has already committed $10 million to the project.
"That money will be encumbered here shortly," Schulz said. "That will be so we can start getting the roof, the tuckpointing of the brick. The northwest corner started to sag a little bit, so they are going to be jacking that up, windows, doors, all that kind of stuff. It's gonna be a big, big project, but it's going to be wonderful once it's opened."
Both Schulz and James Fisher with the Fairgrounds Foundation have quite a few meetings set up with potential donors for the project.
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