MONROE, Wash., November 20, 2023—Because of health concerns related to indoor air quality, motorsports were scheduled to end at the Evergreen State Fair Park Indoor Arena, but Councilmembers and the Executive Office worked together and with passage of the 2024 Snohomish County Budget on November 8, motorsports and the much-anticipated Arenacross will now go on!
The Council approved $672,000 in improvements to the Evergreen State Fair Park Indoor Arena to include the following:
- Installation of carbon monoxide monitors at six locations in the building;
- Physical separation of the concession area to reduce exhaust, noise, and dust around the kitchen, serving and dining areas;
- Installation of a trench drain along the entire building to facilitate cleaning;
- New sheeting surrounding bulkhead corners; and
- Ventilation consultant evaluation and upgrades.
Councilman Sam Low of District 5, home to the arena, is a strong supporter of motorsports at the Fair Park. His Amendment 9 to the 2024 adopted budget requesting Fair Park leadership to present an Improvement Work Plan to Council prior to any work commencing passed unanimously by Council. He also ensured that the motorsports are to continue in tandem with arena improvements which will also benefit equestrian users as well.
“The Fair Park has a rich history of motorsports in this part of the state,” said Councilmember Low. “Families and individuals from throughout the West Coast, mountain states and several provinces of Canada have come to rely on this arena for competitions. Funding is critical for ensuring this sport remains a fixture in Snohomish County. I appreciate the work Executive Somers did with the council to include this in his 2024 budget.”
Funds for the improvements will come from Real Estate Exercise Tax (REET) dollars and will not come from typical fair/revenue-based dollars. This is a one-time funding that must go directly to facility improvements and cannot be used for other purposes.
“Motorsports have been associated with the Fair Park for many years,” said Vice-Chair Nate Nehring. “These investments will ensure that we can provide multi-use venues that keep competitors, vendors, and guests safe.”
The first Indoor Arenacross in Washington was at the Fair Park in 1987. The Fair Park continues to provide a much-needed site for this sport given the limited availability of similar venues across the state. The motorsports season in Snohomish County runs from early November through January.
In February of this year, Evergreen State Fair Park said goodbye to Building 400 after nearly 70 years of memories, in the County’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources ongoing effort to improve the environment while providing quality entertainment for residents.
Building 400 housed both the Democrat and Republican parties booths, commercial vendors selling products such as ShamWow, hot tubs, patio furniture, model trains, Christmas decorations, and handmade blankets to name a few. It has also served as a low-class dairy barn; hosting exhibits, small animal and craft shows. Plans are to turn the 25,000-square-foot space into a plaza that will accommodate the flow of visitors to rides and food vendors.
The fairgrounds are located at 14405 179th Avenue Southeast in Monroe. The fairgrounds offers 193 acres of space for year-round events, an equestrian center, the Evergreen Speedway and RV sites on the grounds. The Evergreen State Fair Park is a proud resource to the county’s agriculture and local communities to support education and youth development.
For tickets, hours, and a schedule of events, visit https://www.evergreenfair.org/.
SOURCE: Snohomish County Government with additions by the Lynnwood Times
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
