Bustin' at the seams

lwc expands to local fairgrounds

BY LILEANA PEARSON

UPDATED FEB. 15 2017

On July 22nd, 2016 Lindsey Wilson College (LWC) closed on their purchase of the Adair county Fairground. Located across the road from Richardson Hall, the Fairgrounds-previously owned by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)-have served the community by hosting derby’s, fundraisers, and the county fair in previous years.

LWC does not plan to break ground for over a year, and is still deciding what the land will be used for. The school is also looking into purchasing the park next to the fairgrounds, however, the park was built with federal and grant money under the guidelines that there must be a park within city limits. Until new land is found the current park cannot be relocated.

Part of the sale included helping the VFW find land for a new meeting house which previously was located on the grounds. Land on Green Hill Rd. in Columbia has been purchased and LWC’s Physical Plant crew is building the structure.

Additional items on the grounds belonging to the Adair county Fair Association could be removed until the end of 2016. No new location has been cited for future county fairs.

UPDATED JAN. 2016

In the September 2015 issue of RaiderView, it was announced that Lindsey Wilson College (LWC) was working alongside the Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) to purchase the local fairgrounds.

Upon last speaking with Vice President for Student Services and Enrollment Management Dean Adams, he confirmed that the purchase was in the works.

When the topic was last visited, Adams said “We [LWC] do not have ownership of the fairgrounds. The Trustees approved the purchase of the property. However, we are waiting on the VFW to complete some paperwork before we can finalize the purchase. I suspect it will be at least six months.”

It was determined in August 2015 that the school was hoping to own the land as soon as the new year. As the first of the year rolled by, RaiderView once more checked in to see the progress on the purchase.

“There is not really much to report on the fairgrounds at this time,” Adams said. “We are waiting on a court action to make sure the VFW can produce the deeds for the property. We have no doubt that will happen, probably in the next 30-45 days.”

With the excitement of expansion also came the rumor that the trailer park located behind the fairgrounds might also be purchased by the school.

As it turns out, yes, the trailer park is for sale; however, the price at the moment is more than the school is willing to pay. For now, the college plans to focus on tackling the fairgrounds before they look more in-depth at the additional land.

Adams confirmed that he, along with LWC President William T. Luckey, Vice President of Administration and Finances Mark Coleman, and the owners of the fairgrounds, the Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) officers, have been negotiating and have “...an agreement of principle,” Adams said.

As of August, with “a few more hoops to jump through” it is looking hopeful that by the first of the new year (2016), LWC may own the land and be able to begin “brainstorming” on the best way to improve and expand the school. The “hoops” Adams is referring to are title searches for the land to ensure there are no hidden fees or liens.

Ronnie Holt, the quartermaster of the local VFW, was able to confirm the positive attitude of the school purchasing the land.

Along with local rumors that came with the idea of purchasing the fairgrounds is that an indoor athletic center would be built. As of now there are no concrete plans of what will be built, only conversation on what will be best for the college as a whole.

Through years of talks and rumors, Adams said many have wondered what has changed in order to make this deal a real possibility.

Several years ago, the college approached the VFW and asked if there was a possibility to buy the twenty-plus acres that is used for the local county fair. When the VFW declined the offer and the school obtained land elsewhere, which is now where the football field and baseball fields are, the school had curbed its immediate need for land.

“A liberal arts college never stops expanding,” Adams said. When the opportunity arose to purchase the plot of land across the street, they couldn't deny it.

If LWC does acquire the fairgrounds, what plans will it have to develop the property?

“We are looking out for the future of Lindsey Wilson College and the community,” Adams said.

Acquiring this plot of land means that the community will lose the land that has hosted the fair for years. The new ownership of the land not only improves the outlook of the school but the community as well. It will supply new jobs, which will boost the economics of LWC and the community.

There are several donors willing to support LWC in their endeavor to purchase and build on the land. However, due to the fact that the school doesn't yet own the land, no promises can be made on what will be decided. Some of the top options are a new athletic center, more dorms, classrooms, parking, as well as a slew of other ideas that are being bounced off each other.

There is also the matter of historical barns that reside on the land that date back to the early 1980s. No definitive plans have been made about the fate of these barns, but the school is completely devoted to honoring the history of Columbia.

“As of now, no one is making any promises of saving buildings or donating new land for the local fair; it’s just too early to decide,” Holt said.

Even with much of the decision up in the air, LWC is pushing forward to expand the school and make a better future for its students and the community around it.