Fair Returns to Sturgeon: Fairgrounds Leased to Veterans United

by Bruce Wallace

The Boone County Fair announced last Thursday that the Boone County Fair would stay in Sturgeon in 2017.

The announcement came just hours after the Boone County Commission announced their own deal – a lease of the Central Missouri Events Center to Veterans United Home Loans.

The lease obviously left a sour taste in the mouths of Fair Board members.

Boone County Fair Board President Jeff Cook said the board voted to stay in Sturgeon, in part, because the Boone County Commission wanted to charge the Fair Board $10,000.

Cook said the Fair spent only $4,100 in renting space in Sturgeon. However, the Fair also made several upgrades, rented tents and put down gravel for the 2016 fair.

The Fair Board also voiced concern that major repairs were going to be necessary at the Events Center and they did not feel that they should pay for the upgrades.

The County Commission announced a lease agreement of the coliseum, the Sapp Building and parking areas to Veterans United for three years at $30,000 annually. The company will also pay the county a $10,000 security deposit.

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