New livestock pavilion debuts for use

Tylan Barnaby remembered the Livestock Pavilion at last year's Curry County Fair. 

"It was so hot and there was no air conditioning," said the 12-year-old. 

Not the ideal conditions for a confined space filled with cattle, swine, lambs and what they leave behind. 

"Just nasty," Tylan said.

But Monday, following a $14.2 million grant from Regional Recreation Centers Quality of Life that led to massive construction, Tylan stood near some of his lambs and beamed at the Livestock Pavilion's shiny new look.

The Pavilion just might be the focal point of the fair, which started a five-day run on Tuesday. Now it provides a welcoming atmosphere for both animals and people. 

Tod Pinel, a member of the fair committee, noted what changed and benefits of each one. 

Before construction, the pavilion was confined to different barns and walled areas. This put a strain on the animals because they struggled to maintain an optimal internal temperature. 

"You spend all day trying to keep the animals cool," Pinel said, as massive fan blades swung like helicopter rotors above him on Monday. "Can't get enough water in them, all those things."

Furthermore, with this new arena, it's more user friendly because of the newly established public address system and its organization. Upon walking in, there are pigs oinking in pens on the left, to the right are sheep barking their "baaas." Beyond them are cattle. Pinel pointed to a mountain of a black steer that weighed 1,300 pounds, its hide fluttering from a nearby fan blowing air into it. 

"Friendly for people to bring their family out to the fair to enjoy the carnival and other exhibits. It's a nicer place for them to kind of show their little ones the lifestyle. They learn something about it as well," Pinel said. 

Pinel said positive fair experiences can ratchet up interest in younger generations to enter the agriculture industry. Getting this buy-in is essential because ag is a cornerstone of Curry County's economy. 

"Keeping people in the industry and keeping them in Curry County is a big deal," Pinel said. 

What's more, there's an opportunity for financial gain through junior livestock sales at fairs.

Chris Flanagan, a longtime agriculture teacher, said he helped pay his way through college with them.

"Fairs have been a very beneficial thing to me," Flanagan said. 

Separate from financial gain, are the values that the ag industry can instill. 

"I think that it teaches them about responsibility and leadership and being able to take care of an animal, because this thing did not ask to come to your house, and so it's solely depending upon you. And so I think that it has a very good value aspect of teaching kids responsibility and learning how to do things on their own and as a group," Flanagan said. 

Robert Thornton, a Curry County commissioner who helped champion the new Livestock Pavilion, said it was a challenge building due to time constraints. 

Construction began last September. Walls and barns alike were battered. Fans were installed. Horse stalls were upgraded. But the "hard work and long hours" paid off, he said. 

"It just opens up options and possibilities," Thornton said. 

After the fair, Thornton hopes the facility will attract "bigger events," including horse shows and rodeos. 

"It's like Noah's Ark," he quipped. 

Just subtract the flood and add the air conditioning.