Fund-Raising Saves Historic Lancaster Grandstand

LANCASTER, Ohio—A fund drive has saved a grandstand where spectators to an Ohio county fair first sat more than 100 years ago.

But while it won’t be torn down, the covered grandstand at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds in central Ohio can’t be used either.

A preservation group this week said it raised about $100,000 to meet a deadline set by the fair board, which had wanted to tear down the structure. The money will be used to fix the damaged roof and make other minor repairs on the grandstand, built in 1908.

However, the fair board estimates it would take up to $150,000 more to bring the building up to code so it’s safe for people to sit in again. It has been closed off for 15 years.

Fair board manager Dave Benson says the fix-up work could begin this summer.

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