Fairgrounds barn renovated by 4-H

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June 29, 2009

By DUANE NOLLEN

OSKALOOSA — The pens in the cattle barn at the Southern Iowa Fairgrounds tend to flood when it rains during the Southern Iowa Fair, so the members of the Spring Creek Achievers decided to fix the problem.

The 4-H Club members installed a new cement floor and installed 18 new cow pens in the barn.

"We built the floor up," club leader Paul Scanlon said Friday afternoon. "We raised the concrete up 8 inches."

Scanlon said that when it rains, the cow pens on the northside of the barn always flooded. So, the 4-H kids would have to move 10 to 12 calves at night and then replace their bedding. Now, with their renovation project wrapping up, they won't have to worry during this year's fair if it rains.

A couple weekends ago, the new concrete floor was poured in the barn, said Molly Gordon, who is one of Scanlon's assistants.

In all, the 4-H club worked about five days installing the new floor and the cow pens.

About 20 club members helped their club leaders, Molly Gordon said.

"The parents dropped them off, and they did a really good job," she added.

Scanlon said his club is the first group to do a renovation project at the fairgrounds.

Dan Gordon, another of Scanlon's assistants, said the club wanted to do the project to get other clubs interested in doing similar projects around the fairgrounds.

Scanlon said the club did not have to fund raise for the project. Four businesses donated materials, and club members did the labor.

"We'll be done today, except for putting on the doors and painting," Scanlon said Friday. "One more day and we'll be done."

The team leaders were debating whether to paint the new cow pens with a decorative design or paint them green and white - the 4-H colors.

Herald Editor Duane Nollen can be reached by email at oskynews@oskyherald.com