The following report was generated from the unofficial minutes of the Feb. 3 meeting of the Greenwood County Fair Association (GCFA) Stockholders.
Treasurer Tom Perrier called the annual stockholders meeting to order at 6:07 p.m. on Feb. 3, at Eureka Downs, with a quorum being present. Directors present included: Perrier, Secretary Stacy Randle, Lindy Snyder, Jamie Nelson, Craig Miller and Dr. Harold Garner. Directors Dr. Kailey Fitzmorris, Justin Branine, and Garry Edmondson were absent. Stockholders and guests present included: Clinton Laflin, Alisha Fisher, Carrie Soto, Mark Enterline, Amanda Blair, Madelyne Thiessen, Dr. Duanne Droge, Bobbi Droge, Joy Jensen-Howell, Tom Howell, Clint Johnson, Todd Stuber, Mike Nuessen, Mary Teichgraeber, Bill Teichgraeber, Tom Long, Rita Osborn, Trayton Rockhill, Dennis Smith, Shannon Rockhill, Peach Madl, Micheal O’Donnell, Justine Statin and Robin Wunderlich.
The 2025 Annual Stockholders meeting minutes were approved.
Perrier presented the financial report. The income and expenses were read. He gave the background of the process the board has taken in the last year. The GCFA only received half of the two-million-dollar grant at this time. Once the first million is spent, then the last half will be released. Perrier also informed the stockholders of the experts they have had to bring in to start working on the track project. He shared the amount the GCFA receives from the Greenwood County Commission and how it is passed through to help with the county fair.
It was noted that the GCFA is now a 501-C5. Perrier shared that RV hookups were set for the 2025 fair and the GCFA saw a profit; however, as of now they have been removed to be updated. Perrier proceeded to talk to the stockholders about the grant money that has been received to this point.
The GCFA was first contracted with a civil engineer from Kentucky, but ultimately opted not to continue to work with the firm as their suggestions would cost more than the grant. Edmondson has been working on the barn area, and has provided funds for remodeling the Braden Room.
Other projects include: insulating the north wall and the wall behind the concession stand; rewiring the Racing Office/Jockeys Quarters; resheetrocking the office/jockeys quarters; removing the old inside rail; completing all the needed surveys to be able to be a certified track again.
It was noted that all paperwork has been turned in to the KDHE, and once the weather is good, the GCFA can begin the dirtwork.
As of now, the county and city help with utilities and insurance of the concourse building. Perrier told the members to look at the balance sheet and the third page of the income and expense fairground improvement project. The GCFA has spent close to $400,000. When work begins on the track, the rest will go quickly. B. Teichgraber asked about the city turning the Braden Room into classrooms from last year. Perrier responded the interest died out and those parties did not want to put the money for any improvements. Perrier asked Nelson to share information about the Greenwood County Community Center (GC3) in the off season of racing. Nelson informed the stockholders about all of the schools and classes and how they fell through.
B. Teichgraber asked about the stockholders not knowing what these certain projects are and what is going on. The board will work on a way to keep the stockholders informed. A discussion was held on the cost to rent the concourse building and how it is a little higher than other places in town, however the size of this venue is larger than most. Mike Nuessen asked if the GCFA is bidding these projects out. The board responded affirmatively, noting they received three bids for the roof job and had worked with the city on collecting them.
The financials were approved.
General Manager Mike Weiss provided an update on Eureka Downs. Weiss gave his experience in the racing industry. He gave an update on the partnership with the University of Arizona Race Track Program and student involvement. He would love to work with any Kansas University, but Arizona has a race track program. They have a student working on Eureka Downs for his graduation project. Weiss continued to brief the stockholders about the old equipment and inventory that had to be cleaned out of the racing office. He explained about having to get rid of the old equipment and start over. He explained the importance of redoing the track completely. The group has to take the old rail out and get a specific safety rail. The GCFA has started and are almost finished with the application to turn into the state. Once the application is turned in, Eureka Downs can get the dates approved. Eureka Downs has to open in October for the first year, hopefully with 11 days of racing. There will be great purses for the horsemen. Next year, Eureka Downs hopes to move the dates to better weather. Weiss informed the group that there are only 140 stalls and there will be a need to build additional barns at a later date. The board wants to improve things in phases. If the projections are good, Eureka Downs could possibly run 20 days in year two and maybe 40 days by year three. Weiss noted they have been gathering bids for starting gates, tote machines, horsemen’s bookkeeper, announcer, timing, toteboard, televisions, horse ambulance, ambulance, security, and track warning system. Weiss further explained his relationship with the track in North Dakota and about leasing or getting needed equipment for pennies on the dollar. A lot of groups are working together to get this done. Weiss informed the stockholders that he would be coming to Eureka frequently and plans to stay before the race season starts to make sure that projects are completed so Eureka Downs can successfully run a 2026 meet.
Lobbyist, Micheal O’Donnell gave a legislative update. He has worked with Treadwells since 2022. The legislature is enthusiastic about getting racing off the ground. Justine Statin with the Kansas Horse Council has done a great job in getting the return of racing off the ground. Their main objective is to make Eureka Downs a state-ofthe- art facility. Dr. Droge explained about the grant money and how it was and is being released. Dr. Droge explained how the fair board will receive the tax from the HHR machines. Senator Fagg thought the GFCA would start receiving the tax money in March.
DJ Lopez with the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission explained how the HHR machines work and how the race is displayed on the machines. A mathematical equation generates the race that is selected and that is how the game operates. A three percent tax on the amount wagered from the machines at Gilleys in Park City goes to the fair fund. Two percent goes to the GCFA for racing and one percent goes to the breed fund. The state gets the first percentage of funds for the regulations of HHR. The state has to have a sixmonth reserve to operate in case one month doesn’t project as well. The state had to hire an agent and an auditor.
Greenwood County Extension Agents Laflin and Fisher were introduced. Fisher shared that the cost for the 2025 fair was $60,000. Fans were bought for the barns. Operating the fair was around $42,000. With help from the city, they were able to get some inflatables for the kids. Nelson stated they had one of the biggest fairs. The 4-H council has fundraisers throughout the year to help operate the fair. Next year’s fair will be held July 24-27. All exhibits are in the concourse building and animals are outside in the fairgrounds.
Secretary Randle reported that there was no old or new business.
Election of Officers: The terms of three directors are up for reelection: Garry Edmondson, Dr. Harold Garner, and Craig Miller. Justin Branine is resigning with two years left in his term.
A motion was approved to re-elect the three willing to serve with a unanimous vote. When seeking volunteers to appoint someone to complete Branine’s term, the following expressed interest: Clint Johnson, Rita Osborn, Clinton Laflin and Tom Long. After a ballot vote, Osborn was elected.
