Fairgrounds deposit increases
Anyone planning to rent the Sequoyah County Fairgrounds facility in the new year will now have to pay an additional amount since the Sequoyah County Commissioners raised the deposit fee on Tuesday.
Due to excessive trash, violations
Anyone planning to rent the Sequoyah County Fairgrounds facility in the new year will now have to pay an additional amount since the Sequoyah County Commissioners raised the deposit fee on Tuesday.
The decision, which takes effect at the first of the year, was based on concerns from OSU Sequoyah County Extension Agent Jase Goodwin who informed the commissioners certain groups and parties who hold events at the fairgrounds building are leaving behind an excessive amount of trash. Goodwin said more cleaning and work is involved for the person responsible for cleaning up after each event and putting it in presentable condition for the next tenant.
Goodwin said there has been a lot of other problems at the fairgrounds during and after certain celebrations are held. The OSU Extension office is responsible to oversee the business end of the building rental.
“There’s not supposed to be alcohol there but there has been, and people are just leaving a bunch of trash behind. The people don’t care to leave it that way because they’ve paid the $150 and think it’ll get cleaned anyway. But the lady who does the cleaning is having some health issues and it’s become a lot more cleaning and work on her end,” he said.
Sequoyah County Sheriff Larry Lane Jr. said it would be difficult to have a deputy remain on the premises because they are in such demand, especially on weekends when most events are held. He did say those violating the rules especially where alcohol is concerned will be dealt with if caught.
According to the contract which is signed between the tenant and the Sequoyah County Fair Board, the tenant agrees no alcoholic beverages will be allowed in the building and on the premises. If the rule is violated, the tenant loses the deposit and the use of the building in the future.
The tenant also agrees to conduct activities upon the premises so as not to endanger any person lawfully thereon and to indemnify and save the Sequoyah County Fairgrounds/Community Building against any and all claims for loss, injury or damage to persons or activities conducted by the lessee, its agents, members or guests.
There is also no smoking allowed on the premises and should the police be called out for any reason, the tenant will lose the deposit. The facility should also be left in “good order” after an event and all trash must be moved to the trash dumpster. The grounds around the building will be policed.
In turn, the fair board agrees to provide the facility in presentable condition, provide technical assistance and advice within capability, provide the final cleaning of facilities after an event, provide equipment requested with capability and assess extent of any damages resulting from usage and notify the lessee of assessment results.
The agreement also contains other rules applied to both the lessee and the tenant, according to the contract.
Following a discussion on the issues, the commissioners decided to raise the deposit from $150 to $250 for anyone choosing to rent the facility. The rental fee will remain at $100, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners Ray Watts said. “It’s sad we have to increase that rate for everyone but if they leave the place clean, they will get their money back,” he said.
