The Blaine County Commissioners accepted a bid December 8 to renovate the restrooms at the Foley Building at the fairgrounds.
The restrooms have been a bone of contention for several years, with the fair board wanting them replaced for quite some time, but unable to agree on what they wanted the project to accomplish.
During periods of heavy use, the toilets often overflowed, leaving the restrooms unusable.
The fair board has the funds available to do the work since the county’s lodging tax is used in part to promote and improve the fairgrounds.
The bid will pull out and do away with the center toilet of the three stools and close up the center drain.
New sheetrock will be installed as will divider walls between two new toilets. The sinks will be wall mounted (no vanity cabinets) and there will be a new ceiling with acoustic tile.
The entirety will be textured and painted and will include handicap railings.
There were two acceptable bids on the project, one from Bragg Mechanical for $23,331 and the other from Weston Rice for $17,815.
The commission voted to accept the bid from Rice. There was no indication when the work would commence.
In other business, the commission wrangled with the question of installing a new ice machine in the courthouse. The previous machine was too old to be repaired and it was unclear whether the one in the old sheriff’s department would fit in the space available.
The estimate for a new machine with installation and warranty was $6063.65.
Commissioner Brandon Schultz said, “I think they need one,” while Commissioner Tracy Matli agreed, but, he said, “It seems like a lot for an ice machine.”
However, when he learned a recent ice machine purchase for the Geary shop came in at $6,700, he also agreed and the item was passed to make the purchase.
The Blaine County Commission meets at 9 a.m. each Monday save holidays at the courthouse at 213 N. Weigle Ave. in Watonga.