The committee looking at the future of the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds has done a good job of thinking big, but maybe they should broaden their thinking even a little more.

The long-range plan presented by a committee of fairgrounds users and fair board members to Douglas County commissioners last week was an ambitious outline of the fairground’s future potential. The plan included smaller projects such as improved lighting and signage to make the fairgrounds more inviting, but it also outlined plans for major structural improvements. The largest of those is a 42,000-square-foot open pavilion just east of the horse arena, an outdoor amphitheater just south of the Extension Service offices and a 50,000-square-foot indoor events center.

The open pavilion and new camping facilities to the north would be particularly attractive to people who travel to horse or dog shows at the fairgrounds. An expanded arena would be a good place for tractor or truck pulls. The indoor events center could serve many different purposes for the community. The amphitheater would be a great place for outdoor performances, although it might duplicate plans for such a center at Sesquicentennial Park near Clinton Lake.

While people are looking at the future of the fairgrounds, however, it’s important for them to consider more non-traditional uses of the facilities. The Douglas County Fair only uses the fairgrounds for a short period each year. Although tractor pulls and horse shows draw many visitors to the fairgrounds, future development should be looked at as a way to broaden that audience.

The planning committee envisioned the indoor events center as a possible location for antique shows, auctions or family reunions, but let’s think even bigger. Is there a possibility that new fairgrounds facilities could meet some of the youth sports needs outlined by the PLAY organizers? Could the indoor facility be designed to accommodate basketball or volleyball courts in addition to boat shows?

If major capital improvements are to be pursued at the fairgrounds in the next 20 to 25 years, it only makes sense to use that opportunity to try to fill as many community needs as possible. Parking and street improvements also would be necessary, but the city and county could partner on such projects.

The fairgrounds already draws hundreds of events and thousands of people each year, but many Lawrence residents rarely have reason to visit the site. An ambitious look at future fairgrounds facilities and uses provides a wonderful opportunity to open the fairgrounds to a much broader segment of local residents.