Fundraising is underway

Planning is underway for a new building in Culbertson.  The Roosevelt County Fair and Culbertson Rural Fire Department are working in collaboration for an event center and fire hall to be utilized year round by both parties. The center will be an excellent asset to Culbertson as well as Roosevelt County.

Culbertson Rural Fire Department has doubled the amount of calls they have answered within the past five years.  The following represents the number of calls answered annually:
2009- 34 calls
2010- 41 calls
2011- 57 calls
2012- 75 calls
2013- 54 calls
2014- 71 calls thus far
Of these fire calls, only 20% were oilfield related, approximately 2 calls per year per town, and the remainder are rural/farm and ranch.  At present time, Culbertson RFD travels from Brockton to Williston, and Froid to the flashing light at 16/201 to Fairview with one Hazmat truck, 8 fire trucks and 24 volunteer firemen.  Their current building is 40'x60'.

Roosevelt County Fair currently hosts the annual county fair each summer and the building/grounds are also rented out for reunions, weddings, funerals, and other large functions or occasions.  Because none of the buildings are winter weather friendly, the grounds are only utilized between May and October.  The new building will lay approximately at the same point where the current quonset/4-H buildings stand at the fairgounds, and will be of the same size, but because there is presently approximately 12 feet of unused space between the buildings, space will be gained.  A goal for seating will exceed 500 people.

From east to west the building will stand 225 feet and half will be split by a wall for each department to have equal sides.  From north to south the building will stand 100 feet.  There will also be an awning off of the back of the building on the north side, which will gain more access for outdoor vendors and activities.  This bare structure has been bid at $900,000, or $40/square foot.  This includes ground source heating.

For a finished building, the collaboration is looking at approximately $1.5 million.  This will include lockers, storage, washing machines, showers, a maintenance bay, and a training facility for the fire department.  The fair would also need a storage room, kitchen, and year-round use office, as well as restrooms. 

A 501C has been set up at First Community Bank for anyone who would like to donate to the development of the project.  There is also a GoFundMe account titled "Roosevelt County Fair & Fire" or www.gofundme.com/rooseveltfairfire

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