Events Center update to be given

DavTek vice president Randy Kamradt is scheduled to update county commissioners today on the progress of the special events center.

The county hired DavTek to manage the construction of the facility.

At the Dec. 4 county commission meeting, County Manager Lance Pyle said the total cost of constructing the 96,100 square-foot, 6,600-seat facility was not set. But Kamradt said the cost of the event center has been in place since construction began on the $7 million facility.

Construction of the event center near the fairgrounds will cost the county $7,094,193.59, according to a progress report from the construction company. The cost includes construction of the building and a $71,000 generator, Kamradt said. He said the project should be finished at or below the projected amount.

The county has spent about $2 million on the facility so far, according to county Finance Director Mark Lansford.

Construction of the event center started in September and is expected to be completed in August, according to the report.

Lansford said the cost does not include furnishing the building. The county has compiled a list of amenities totaling about $2 million to furnish the building. County commissioners will decide today whether to approve a Jan. 3 work session to discuss what amenities the facility needs immediately, he said.

“We are looking at them (the amenities) in the sense that we’re trying to discern what are needs and what are wants,” he said.

During the Dec. 4 commission meeting, financial adviser Rob Burpo told commissioners to lock in the cost of the event center before approving amenities for it.

County commissioners will also consider:

—Approving an ordinance to borrow about $1.4 million from the state’s finance authority to purchase six road graders.

—Approval of a centennial committee.

—A presentation regarding the purchase of a K-9 dog for the Curry County Sheriff’s office.

Fast facts

What: Curry County Commission meeting

When: 9 a.m. today

Where: Curry County Courthouse