North Dakota’s Red River Valley Fair Association is seeking an ordinance amendment from the City of West Fargo. The move is part of an effort to get things sorted for a proposed $3.5-million campground expansion to advance.
Cody Cashman, CEO of the Red River Valley Fair Association, is pushing for more campsites at the fairgrounds, noting that the campground has been full every the past two years and is currently in full occupancy.
“Currently, there are 78 spaces, and we are definitely out of space,” Cashman told a local report.
The association seeks to add 130 more sites, together with playgrounds, pavilions, a pond, and other amenities. The majority of campers at the campground are workers who stay for months at a time.
In November last year, Cashman declared that the campground has proven to be “very profitable,” generating about $270,000 per year in revenue, with expenses roaming around $40,000 for fairground operations.
If all goes well, the fair association anticipates $450,000-$600,000 more in revenues during the peak season from May 1 until November 1.
However, Commissioners Rick Steen and Chad Peterson were worried about construction costs when Cashman pitched the campground’s expansion last year. Costs were higher than what the commissioners expected.
Cashman then assured that the association is willing to pay back the costs for the project. He also said that they plan to make the fairgrounds self-sustaining while also considering other events that could help boost the revenue.
The city is yet to make a decision on the proposed project.
