The group working toward new exhibition grounds has finally decided on Prairie Central Agricultural and Exhibition Society (PCAES) as their name.
"We've been having meetings since last year and the legitimate name has just been approved," said Amanda Klitch, president of JCI Humboldt and a member of PCAES. "The only thing that's confirmed is that we're looking at a couple different properties."
While they have yet to make an offer, Klitch and two other members from the committee made it clear at the April 28 council meeting that the group was interested in a particular piece of land. Specifically, they're looking at the property along Peck Road, between the Vintage Club and the current exhibition grounds.
They know that they'll need approximately 60 to 80 acres, so their choices aside from this property are limited. The group has also begun showing presentations to the various surrounding RMs and villages in order to garner support, financial or otherwise.
"Eventually, in the long term, these people will be involved in taking care of the facility," said Klitch. "But for now, we're just looking for partnership."
As president of JCI Humboldt, Klitch's organization has been helping by hosting events and raising money for the last two years for the purchase of a property. At $1,000 or $2,000 per acre, the cost of the land itself at the size they want would total at least $60,000.
"With all of the features that could come of the land, it could turn out to be over a $1 million project," said Klitch. "The partnerships will help with some of that."
Either way, it's apparent that the project is a massive one and a difficult undertaking for one organization.
"Once the land is purchased, then we'll know what size we're getting and things will roll along further," said Klitch. "Our goal is to have the land by next June of 2015."
According to her, the exhibition grounds that are currently being used are already small and tight. With the planned renovation, it will make events very crowded.
Furthermore, the grandstands are aging.
"We just want to get a new space and whether we have the actual stands or not, we just a want a new spot as soon as possible," said Klitch.
Although the group is still in the process of forming their non-profit organization, at least they now have a name.
