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Leaders, unable to agree on livestock barn, may buy portable sheds

Tamara Miller

EAGLE COUNTY ” Squabbles over a proposed fairground pavilion won’t have to leave 4-H animals homeless this summer. County commissioners are considering buying portable sheds to store the animals, or borrowing a barn from a local developer.

The animals are currently in a livestock barn that will be used for several upcoming events, including the county’s Rocky Mountain Oyster Feed, the high school rodeo and a dog show.

“There is a need to come up with a temporary place for 4-H animals during the fair,” Commissioner Arn Menconi said.



The county could buy portable sheds for about $17,000. They could be used as horse stalls after a permanent building is built, said Brad Higgins, the county’s road and bridge director, who also works on the county fairgrounds.

But developers of the proposed Brightwater Club development south of Gypsum have offered to lend the county a large barn for the summer, said Commissioner Peter Runyon. That idea got support from Commissioner Tom Stone because it would save the county money.

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“I think we should at least research the option before we spend $17,000,” Stone said.

The animals used to live in a red barn that was destroyed last summer to make way for a gravel pit plant. The commissioners approved spending about $2 million to replace the barn with a facility that could also be used for special events, like trade shows or horse barrel races.

However, disagreement over the proposed facility’s use and cost have delayed construction on the project, which many 4-H and fair participants hoped would be finished in time for this summer’s fair.

The commissioners decided last week to form a committee that will determine what the replacement facility should be used for, as well as what it will look like.

Staff Writer Tamara Miller can be reached at 949-0555, ext. 607, or tmiller@vaildaily.com.

Vail Colorado


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