New clay at the Shawano Speedway and repairs to a couple of buildings at the Shawano County Fairgrounds were approved by the county’s Ag and Extension Committee on March 13.
The Shawano Area Agricultural Society Inc., which operates the fairgrounds, will pay the county highway department $30,750 for new clay for the racetrack.
Scott Breitrick, president of the Ag Society, said each load of clay costs them $197, and he is hoping to organize a fundraiser for people to purchase one load at a cost of $200.
The highway department, once it subtracts its costs for time and materials, will transfer the remaining funds to the long-term care fund for the landfill, which is being capped.
Breitrick was asked about the possibility of shortening the track from its traditional half-mile length. The track length issue has been an on-again, off-again discussion the past couple years.
Breitrick said the possibility of a shorter track is 50/50.
“I don’t know who’d pay for what,” he said. “I’m not interested in it. A couple people are, but I don’t know.”
Concerns expressed by the committee included spending money for new clay if it’s all going to be torn up to create a shorter track.
There are only a handful of half-mile tracks in Wisconsin. Most are shorter, with another handful longer.
“Jerry Muenster is 83 years old and still racing,” Breitrick said. “He says, ‘What would you want to shorten this track for?’”
“We’ve had that discussion many times, and until the fair board comes with a recommendation, it’s in one ear and out the other as far as I’m concerned,” committee Chairman Joe Miller said. “Put the clay on it, and be done with it.”
A $6,600 bid from Bryan Nemetz Construction, Shawano, was approved for repairs to the Gresham Firemen’s Stand at the fairgrounds. The county owns the building.
The work will include the installation of soffit, fascia and new siding on the stand.
There was also a $7,200 bid from Maule Construction, Cecil.
However, Maule Construction was chosen for a $575 project that included repairs to leaking pipe flashings in the Commercial Building. There was only one bid for this project.
Four dead ash trees and their stumps will be removed by K&S Landscaping, Bowler, at a cost of $3,250.
A $3,850 bid from Mid State Tree Service, New London, was also received.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
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