TULSA County fairground improvement update

Improvements to the Tulsa Fairgrounds are running behind schedule. Tulsans passed a $50-million county tax last year, part of which would fund the fairgrounds projects. Winter weather threw a wrench

Tuesday, May 15th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Improvements to the Tulsa Fairgrounds are running behind schedule. Tulsans passed a $50-million county tax last year, part of which would fund the fairgrounds projects. Winter weather threw a wrench in one of those plans.

Back in February, wind and ice mangled the steel skeleton of the $2.5 million livestock arena, originally scheduled for completion in July. KOTVâ€™s Tami Marler went to the fairgrounds to see how it's progressing. The huge structure at the fairgrounds will one day be a world-class livestock showplace, attracting exhibitors from all over the world. Fair officials say winter weather put them about two months behind schedule. But they're hoping to have at least a portion of the livestock arena opened in time for the last of three national horse shows being held here. Regardless of the opening, there is a contingency plan.

Expo Square CEO Denny Tuttle says, "We're gonna build two horse arenas in the lower level of the Expo, so they'll be able to conduct their shows in there. And they'll be able to stall in the old barns that are left standing, and in the Trade Center, which is right here by us." The Palomino Show will be here on Memorial Day weekend; the National Quarter Horse show is in July; and the World Pinto Show is in August.

The good news is, the arena "is" expected to be open in time for the State Fair in October.