Fair Association Gets Nod On Convention Center

The Highlands County Fair Association was a step closer Wednesday to realizing the construction of its proposed $2 million Agri-Convention Center at Firemen's Field.

Association President Skip Adams told the Sebring Community Redevelopment Agency board that it tried to get a state grant for the project from 2002 through 2006 without success, but finally received the $2-million grant in the 2007 grant cycle.

"We have this opportunity looking at us and we'd like to take advantage of it," Adams told the board.

The association plans to tear down two existing metal buildings that have aged considerably and replace it with this 200-foot-by-160-foot convention center, which should seat about 3,500 people, said Adams.

At issue is a citywide ordinance prohibiting the construction of metal buildings in certain zoning districts. But, the fair association argued, the metal construction provides the most "bang-for-the-buck" it could get for the $2 million it had available.

Besides, the Firemen's Field property has a P-public zoning designation, which allows the metal structure.

Consultant Mark Markley, a contract administrator representing the Highlands County Fair Association, told the board it hoped to be able to hold events such as the Sebring High School graduation inside the new air-conditioned building.

"The last high school graduation took place outside partially during a rainstorm," he said.

He hoped the design they propose would be pleasing to the community.

The grant also has a time limit.

The association is compelled to spend the grant money within 18 months, of which six months is already gone, he said, but even though they still had a year, that's no guarantee.

"The state is going through budget cuts and is looking for every dollar out there," he said.

CRA Commissioner Jim McCollum told the fair association members present that just about every member on the board had voted against metal buildings at one point or another, however ...

"This is a great asset for the downtown," he said. "I applaud you. This will be a nice replacement for what's there. That's the entrance to our downtown and I think it will be a great addition."

He suggested making a clock tower taller and perhaps adding a different slope to the roof to make it look less like a metal building.

McCollum pointed out that what is on the field now isn't exactly attractive.

"We've grown accustomed to those buildings at Firemen's Field," he said.

By a 6-0 vote the building was approved Monday, with some recommendations for modifications, a conceptual design of the 32,000 square-foot metal Convention Center, said CRA Executive Director Pete Pollard on Wednesday.

Pollard said as an entryway to the downtown district, this new building helps enhance the marketability of the downtown.

Commissioner Lorrie Smith was absent from the meeting.

The concept of constructing the new metal building received the partial blessing of the Sebring City Council by a 2-1 vote on March 17. Councilman John Griffin cast the dissenting vote and Council President Bud Whitlock and Councilwoman Margie Rhoades were absent.

The following recommendations were submitted to both the Planning and Zoning Board and the Sebring City Council to consider, wrote Pollard.

1. That the tower height be raised to balance the appearance of the tower and the roof line of the main building structure.

2. That the roofing material on the lower level roof extension be blue in color to accentuate the break in the color pattern above and below it and to help break up the appearance of the high walls.

3. Consider carrying the block façade higher than the current plan stipulates, to help improve the appearance of an otherwise large metal building.

4. Consider the addition of covered walkways, possibly using the blue roofing materials, to help to break up the appearance of the wall mass, and to provide a covered area outside the facility during inclement weather.

The CRA has asked that the Highlands County Fair Association return to the CRA following the Planning and Zoning Board review and City Council decision on the structure and allow them to see and review the final plans. The fair association has agreed to do so.