While it doesn’t look promising that Hamilton County will receive additional funding, requested from the Florida Department of Agriculture, to complete renovations at the County Arena, improvements to the facility are still underway, reports County Coordinator Mike Williams.



The Board of County Commissioners, in partnership with civic groups such as the Hamilton County Riding Club and private partners PCS Phosphate, have worked hard to continue improvements at the facility.



To date, completed renovations include appearance and safety improvements with new fences and pens, replacement of old wooden bleachers with aluminum bleachers, a new press box and most recently, new lighting.



All the improvements are part of a long-term renovation plan to maintain and upgrade the facility, notes Williams.



The funding requested ($250,000) from the Dept. of Agriculture fairground improvement program, would have provided for a new stock barn and a cover for the arena itself. “While these items will continue to remain on a list of renovations needed for the facility, they will not be accomplished in the coming year unless a revenue source is discovered,” says Williams. “Recreation Director Winston Warner will continue to search for funding sources for the projects.”



The Hamilton County Riding Club will soon be hosting its annual rodeo at the upgraded facility.