About 50 people gathered inside the fairgrounds new, brightly lit meeting hall for an open house Dec. 16, 2016. The meeting hall has been named after County Commissioner Jim Flory.

Nine years since the project’s inception, county leaders gathered to celebrate the completion of renovations to the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Lawrence.

About 50 people gathered inside the fairgrounds’ new, brightly lit meeting hall for an open house on Friday afternoon as rain fell outside.

“In my opinion, notwithstanding what it looks like outside, today is a beautiful day for Douglas County,” County Commissioner Jim Flory told attendees.

County Commissioner Jim Flory addresses attendees at an open house Dec. 16, 2016, for renovations to the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper St.

The meeting hall has an open layout with polished concrete flooring, and Flory said the space has already been put to good use. The hall is just one element of the extensive renovations and new additions to the fairgrounds, 2120 Harper St.

The $7.95 million renovation began in 2007, and included the demolition of two buildings, construction of two more and complete refurbishing of the outdoor event arena, which is scheduled to be complete before the next summer fair. Across from the new meeting hall is the more than 50,000-square-foot open pavilion.

The fairgrounds facilities are used by several area groups, including the annual Douglas County Fair, Douglas County maintenance operations, Douglas County Extension Service and Douglas County 4H.

Flory, who is retiring from the commission, thanked a long list of participants in the project, including fellow commissioners Mike Gaughan and Nancy Thellman, Douglas County Administrator Craig Weinaug and Assistant County Administrator Sarah Plinsky, among others.

“It wasn’t just a job they did,” Flory said. “They were committed to it, they believed in it, they wanted it to work out right, and they worked hard.”

Once Commissioner Thellman had the floor, she praised Flory for his dedication to the project.

“This was a big step to take, and Jim never wavered,” Thellman said. “And Jim always pushed us to think bigger, not be afraid of the cost, but to do the right project. Because it’s worth it; our people are worth that.”

About 50 people gathered inside the fairgrounds new, brightly lit meeting hall for an open house Dec. 16, 2016. The meeting hall has been named after County Commissioner Jim Flory.

Because of his efforts, Thellman announced, the meeting hall will be named after Flory, and a plaque dedicated to him will soon be displayed at the building.

Flory said that the entire project had personal significance for him.

“This has been a special project for me, because I remember running around out along the barns in dusty Levi’s and cowboy boots when I was that high,” Flory said.

Flory said he was proud to see it completed.

“Congratulations to all the people involved,” Flory said. “I’m proud of this project and everyone who made it happen.”