Field of dreams
Refining a vision for the new county multi-events center

No sooner had the La Plata County Fair pulled up stakes for another year, than more than 100 residents gathered to chart the fairgrounds’ future.

At a public meeting and presentation Monday night at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, the vision for the fairgrounds’ new home atop a mesa southeast of town became a bit clearer. Hosted by local landscape architect firm DHM, the meeting was the third in a series of meetings to gather public input on the planned relocation of the fairgrounds, as well as a county “multi-events center” atop the area formerly known as Ewing Mesa. The Katz family bought the 1850-acre property, now being referred to as “Durango Mesa Park,” in the spring of 2015 and is planning to gift 200 acres to the county for new facilities.

“Right now, we’re at the point of refining a preferred plan,” Anne Christensen, of DHM Design said.

Local residents were last presented with three options for potential fairgrounds configurations at a meeting in May. Of those three, Option #1, which featured a centrally located fairgrounds, became the clear choice.

“One of the things we’ve heard over and over is the huge need for more space and better access,” said Christensen. The current fairgrounds sits on just 32 acres. “Having just experienced the last fair, it’s become so clear that we’re shoehorned into one place.”

In addition to the public meetings, residents were given the option to weigh in via an online survey. From April –May, more than 530 surveys were submitted, and other top wants aside from more space included: a separate demolition derby/motor area; more camping; expanded trails and bicycling activities; other open space oriented activities and recreation; and a rental pavilion.

Christensen said one of the other selling points of Option #1 was its expandability for such amenities. Eventually, the City of Durango will annex the Durango Mesa Park, and plans call for an outdoor concert venue, trails and other recreation amenities, 

which have yet to be nailed down. Another thing that also has yet to be nailed down is cost for the new fairgrounds. Christensen said now that the layout has been refined, it will allow them to come up with an estimate on the price tag. The cost, as well as a draft plan, will be submitted in about a month to the La Plata County Board of County Commissioners for approval.

As for the cost, Christensen admits it’s “not cheap,” with a big chunk needed for roads and other infrastructure as well as management. Yet, she points to the economic benefits that the events center can bring as well as the duality of some of the facilities. For example, a demolition derby arena can also be used for motocross events; a commercial kitchen can be used by local residents and food producers; and a campground could be overseen by a concessionaire.

“We’re designing it to be as financially sustainable as possible,” she said.

She also noted the Katz family is making a conscious move to get away from the name “Ewing Mesa,” which refers to the land’s former private owners.

“They are referring to it as ‘Durango Mesa Park.’ They want to drop the private aspect and emphasize the public nature of it,” she said.

And speaking of the public, Christensen said in coming months and years, it will be the biggest driver in the future of Durango Mesa Park. Although the Katz family still owns the land, in about a year once the legalities and paperwork is done, it will officially be handed over to the people of La Plata County. “The next step will be to fund the strategies and to turn this into a reality and take advantage of this huge gift,” she said.