Capital campaign begins for youth enrichment center

A capital campaign to construct a youth enrichment center on the Antelope County Fairgrounds is underway.

The idea hatched after the 2020 show-and-go fair, as participation numbers in poultry and rabbit exhibits skyrocketed.

Rhonda Meyer, campaign committee chairman, said exhibitor numbers in these areas have increased exponentially in the past five years.

"Poultry exhibits have gone up 44% and rabbit entries are up 256%," she said. "We went from eight rabbits to 50 last year."

During fair week, poultry and rabbit entries crowd the two original, small structures, which are more than 50 years old. One new building, with ample space, could replace the current barns.

"The old concession stand will also be torn down," Meyer said.

Meyer said the new building will provide multiple opportunities for 4-H members.

"They will be able to have their rabbits and their poultry not all jammed together."

Meyer doesn't expect to see the growth of the programs changing anytime soon.

"A lot the exhibitors are young kids," she said.

In addition to housing poultry and rabbits, the proposed 60 foot by 150 foot facility will offer practice and competition space for 4-H shooting sports.

"It will be able to be used as a meeting space for 4-H clubs, FFA chapters and other youth organizations," Meyer said."It will reach more youth."

The structure, which has a $400,000 price tag, will also include restrooms and an office and be temperature controlled.

A sidewalk will create a runway between the current livestock show arena and the exhibit building.

According to Meyer, the Antelope County Ag Society will donate to the project, although an amount has not been established at this time.

The committee will partner with the Nebraska Community Foundation to seek grant opportunities and will also accept donations from interested individuals.

Construction could begin by summer of 2022.