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Heavy snow accumulation has caused the cave in of two buildings at the Newton County Fairgrounds.
The roofs of the commercial exhibits building and maintenance barn both collapsed sometime between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday, according to A&M Society president Estella Osborn. The structures are located next to each other.
The roof of the commercial exhibits building fell into the structure along the east end, bowing out the wall on that side. The western side of the building and a portion of roof on that side is still standing.
The maintenance barn roof collapsed into a perfect V, knocking out the southern wall and exposing a office and storage area at the back of the building.
The commercial building was empty at the time of the roof collapse but the maintenance barn had tractors, lumber, tables, chairs and other fairground supplies, Osborn said.
She said both buildings were insured and that there are also some contingency funds set aside as well.
“But if that's going to be enough to cover it I don't know,” Osborn said.
Removal of the salvageable materials and rubble waits on talks with the insurance company and then on the weather, she said. She said the site is still “very dangerous.”
Meanwhile, the A&M Society board, the panel that oversees the fairgrounds, is supposed to meet tonight to discuss options.
“It's an opportunity to build something new,” Osborn said.
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Daily News Staff Writer Amye Buckley contributed to this report.
Heavy snow accumulation has caused the cave in of two buildings at the Newton County Fairgrounds.
The roofs of the commercial exhibits building and maintenance barn both collapsed sometime between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday, according to A&M Society president Estella Osborn. The structures are located next to each other.
The roof of the commercial exhibits building fell into the structure along the east end, bowing out the wall on that side. The western side of the building and a portion of roof on that side is still standing.
The maintenance barn roof collapsed into a perfect V, knocking out the southern wall and exposing a office and storage area at the back of the building.
The commercial building was empty at the time of the roof collapse but the maintenance barn had tractors, lumber, tables, chairs and other fairground supplies, Osborn said.
She said both buildings were insured and that there are also some contingency funds set aside as well.
“But if that's going to be enough to cover it I don't know,” Osborn said.
Removal of the salvageable materials and rubble waits on talks with the insurance company and then on the weather, she said. She said the site is still “very dangerous.”
Meanwhile, the A&M Society board, the panel that oversees the fairgrounds, is supposed to meet tonight to discuss options.
“It's an opportunity to build something new,” Osborn said.
* * *
Daily News Staff Writer Amye Buckley contributed to this report.
