Shelby County Fairgrounds Masterplant

Shelby County Fair Association, Inc. is a self-funded, not-for-profit organization that owns, improves and manages the fairgrounds. A small portion of the County’s 43 acres is located south of a river. The association wanted to create a master plan to develop the area and improve the infrastructure to the fairgrounds. These improvements included additional camper utility connections, a plan for trail access between parks that would integrate with grounds’ security, a new dual-purpose exhibit space that could also serve as a conference hall, and repair and replace 12-stall barns with a single, 48-stall barn.

There was an immediate need to replace the historic grandstands, originally built around 1865, which were recently destroyed by a fire, but also to connect the city parks and repair and improve the fairground’s physical facilities. Since the master plan involved a large scope and a substantial financial commitment, the implementation and completion of the program needed to include a high degree of transparency, communication and sound financial strategies.

MNA was able to provide a master plan that achieved all the association’s goals. MNA also provided mechanical, electrical, and plumbing expertise to meet the goals of the project. The results of the master plan created a more unified experience for the community while attending fairgrounds events and improved the overall function of the fairground’s infrastructure.