Overton County is awaiting bids to replace the roof on top of the grandstands at the county fairgrounds.
Overton County Fair President Ronnie Smith said the roof had an estimated $200,000 in damage back in the spring due to a storm. Smith said the storm ripped off the top of the roof on about half of the grandstands. Though only half of the roof was damaged, Smith said the whole roof will need to be replaced.
“You know, you can’t piece this type of stuff,” Smith said. “And it lifted what’s left on there, the wind had lifted it up and loosened it up anyway. Some of it, about half of it, is completely gone. The other half has been lifted and rained on, water got in it now, and everything.”
Smith said the new metal roof will be similar to the old one. Smith said he is still waiting to hear back from the insurance company, but would like to get the roof replaced as soon as possible.
“The longer that we let it sit there, it’s gonna rust the other metal on top that’s laying down there for the foam to go on,” Smith said. “So you know, it’s something that’s gotta be done before the winter is over, or before the winter gets here, would be great. But we’ve been waiting all summer, so I guess we will wait till they can tell us what we can do.”
Smith said he is hoping the insurance company will take on most of the costs for the new roof.
“You know, we are a small fair,” Smith said. “We don’t have a lot of extra money laying around. I mean, we can handle it, but it just hurts, so hopefully we can find out something here in a few more weeks.”
Smith said the fairgrounds are still hosting events at the grandstands despite the current condition of the roof.
