Clay County is launching a $700,000 renovation project at Clay County Park and the local fairgrounds to modernize public facilities and boost regional tourism.
Clay County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dr. Doug Young said the funding allows the county to address long-standing infrastructure issues. Young said the project follows a master plan for parks that previously saw improvements at Donaldson Park and Hermitage Springs Park.
“It’s huge for public infrastructure because we just wouldn’t be able to do that in a small county like ours,” Reagan said. “Our tax base is not such that would allow us to spend this kind of money on a project like this. However, I think it will have a payback over a period of time. I don’t think it’s just money wasted, certainly not. This will be bringing tax money in, and it’ll be bringing lots of people in. It may take several years to recoup that money, but I look at it as an investment.”
Young said the park renovations will include a complete overhaul of the plumbing systems and the installation of new lighting on the stage of the “Big Building.” Young said the Women’s Building will receive a new kitchen concession stand and fully renovated restrooms. Then, Young said, they intend to fix up the grandstand next to the arena.
“We were very fortunate, Mayor (Dale) Reagan was able to get a master planning grant for parks that edged us along the way,” Young said. “And once we got that plan, then we worked with the Department of Economic and Community Development to further develop our plan, to get them on board with the kinds of things we want to do.”
Young said the arena work involves replacing boards, painting fences, and installing a new announcer stand. Young said the county also plans to address safety issues with the steps in the grandstand. Young said the arena is home to horse truck shows while the two baseball fields nearby play host to local sporting events.
“We don’t have good steps in the grandstand right now, and we’d like to be able to get that rectified,” Young said. “And then the fencing all needs painting, and some of the boards need replacing and bringing that up to a new standard.”
Young said the improvements are designed to attract tourists from across the Upper Cumberland and even in neighboring Kentucky to support events like the rodeo they have scheduled for late September.
“The more events we have over there and the more tourists that we attract to come to Clay County, the better our economy will be,” Young said. “And then with an improved arena, we’ll be able to house some outdoor kinds of stuff that we’re just not able to have now.”
Young said the county has a two-year window to complete the various park and fairground improvements.
