Port Townsend Kiwanis sponsors youth-dedicated building at Jefferson County Fairgrounds

4-H Building to receive some much-needed TLC

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The Jefferson County Fair Association has announced the sponsorship and adoption of the Fairgrounds 4-H Building by the Port Townsend Kiwanis.

The sponsorship and adoption includes an $11,000 grant for aesthetic upgrades and a large bucket of volunteer hours to help get the work done.

Last October, the Kiwanis invited fairgrounds manager Danny McEnerney to give a presentation to update them of changes happening at the fairgrounds, and to shed light on how Kiwanis might use the property for their programs.

McEnerney’s presentation and talk was met with lively conversation and interested Kiwanians who worked together to put their stamp on the new changes happening at the fairgrounds.

The $11,000 grant was used install windows, paint the facade, and to get the ball rolling on upgrades to the aesthetics of the more than 3,000- square-foot 4-H Building. In addition, the Kiwanis want to use the building upgrades as part of their days of service.

The inspiration to be part of the fairgrounds is rooted in the connection between Kiwanis as a youth support-focused organization, and the 4-H Building being re-dedicated to youth events after the upgrades.

Kiwanis members envision a thriving 4-H community using the space often, and keeping the building ultra-affordable and available for youth-focused events such as dances, movie parties, art programs, and more.

Currently, the building has solid infrastructure and sufficient heat, but its “dated” vibe is in need of TLC.

“A space that isn’t inviting, one that you don’t want to hang out in, just won’t work,” McEnerney said. “The community has a ton of ideas for events, but it’s my experience that if a place isn’t ‘cool’ no one will want to use it.”

Kiwanis is working on an additional $4,000 grant for the building, but there’s no shortage of needs and funds.

“What would really make this whole thing doable is efficient HVAC. It’s boring, super expensive, and the biggest obstacle to long-term success,” McEnerney said. “We’ll get there one way or another, but it might be a bit painful in the winter months.”

While Kiwanis is the new building sponsor, their name on the building will be shared with the Short family, for whom the building is dedicated to.

Interested parties can help out  McEnerney and the Kiwanis by contacting him at the fairgrounds office at 360-385-1013 or info@
jeffcofairgrounds.com.