Upgrades to 4-H building planned

Eddy County 4-H has plans for a major upgrade, and the whole community stands to benefit.

The static building at the Eddy County Fairgrounds has long been put to good use by Eddy County 4-H, but the structure’s limitations have also kept it from being utilized year-round.

That’s expected to change in the not-so-distant future, as Eddy County 4-H embarks on a fundraising effort to renovate the static building – located a few yards northwest of the new pavilion.

Mike Brazil, a member of the 4-H building advisory board, said the static building is currently used a few times every summer, to host 4-H Achievement Days and Round-Up events and to serve roast beef dinner during the steam threshers reunion.

However, because it’s uninsulated, the 40 by 68 foot structure can’t be used at all during the winter, and it will need some improvements if it’s to serve the community long into the future.

“So it’s really not getting used to its full potential,” said Brazil. “It’s a building that's still sound in structure, but we have to do something with it or it’s just going to fall down over time.”

Eddy County 4-H has set a fundraising target of $150,000 for renovating the static building, which would entail a new concrete floor, bathroom, insulation, storage area, a new overhead garage door and a full commercial kitchen.

The primary goals of the project are to grow 4-H clubs and shooting sports, offer a commercial kitchen facility for cooking classes and events, and to provide an effective venue the entire community can utilize.

Donna Anderson, an NDSU Extension Agent for Eddy County, said the building’s year-round functionality will be a great benefit to various clubs and groups in the community.

“It benefits 4-H because it does give them a dedicated space that they can utilize year-round,” said Anderson. “And it benefits the community as well, giving them a place that can be used for educational activities or gathering spots for different organizations.”

Brazil described the future static building as a “community event center,” which he believes the community has a need for.

“It’ll have a kitchen so 4-H can do food classes and food preservation,” said Brazil. “And the community can use it as a place for meetings, wedding anniversaries, or anything else.”

Brazil also heads up 4-H Shooting Sports in Eddy County, and he said the opportunities to grow that program increase greatly with renovations to the static building.

He explained that they’ve been looking for a place to shoot air rifle and archery indoors for years, as the kids have shown interest in participating in those activities.

The renovated static building, he said, would finally allow them to do those activities, and perhaps more importantly, allow 4-H Shooting Sports to remain active year-round.

To make their goals become reality, however, Eddy County 4-H is asking for the community’s support as they begin their fundraising push.

Brazil said they’re on the lookout for grants, but that most grants are only available for buildings built from scratch, rather than renovation projects for existing structures. So, he’s hoping the community can come together to accomplish a big upgrade for the area.

Coming up in a few weeks, 4-H Shooting Sports will be hosting a Veteran’s Day meal at the New Rockford Eagles Club to help raise money for the project, and other future fundraisers are in the works.

“We realize the project isn’t going to happen tomorrow, but we’re working on it,” said Anderson. “And we think that it’s a worthy project not just for 4-H but for the community as a whole.”

Those interested in donating directly to the project are encouraged to contact the Eddy County NDSU Extension Office in New Rockford at (701) 947-2454. Donations can be dropped at the extension office, located at 205 3rd Street SE in New Rockford.

Eddy County 4-H is looking forward to the project and what it could mean for their programs as well as their community.

“Probably the biggest thing about this is it gives this community one more place to be able to do stuff,” said Brazil. “You know there’s enough places being torn down here … and here we can build something for a halfway decent price and make it usable for many different people and many different groups.”