Friends of the Dickinson County Fair President Lisa Bedard and Dickinson County Fair Board member Rob Barkle take a look at “concession row” on the Dickinson County Fairgrounds in Norway before the start of the 2025 fair. In a split decision, the Dickinson County Fair Board has decided to remove the structure built in 1939. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News, file)

IRON MOUNTAIN — In a 7-3 decision, the Dickinson County Fair Board has decided to tear down “concession row” at the fairgrounds in Norway.

The exhibition hall on the west side of the fairgrounds leading to the grandstand was built in 1939 and is need of repair. According to unapproved minutes from a Feb. 3 meeting of the fair board, James Stachowicz offered a motion to tear down the building, citing the cost of repairs.

Stachowicz was joined in voting yes by Chairman Chuck Parker and board members Liane Arnold, Brian Swanson, Beth Bray, Dan Harrington and Victoria Jakel. Harrington and Jakel are the Dickinson County Board representatives on the 11-member panel.

Voting no were James DalSanto, John Gunville and Rob Barkle. Absent from the Feb. 3 meeting was Anthony Grudnoski, who has resigned from the fair board.

A Feb. 11 story in the print edition of The Daily News mistakenly reported that Michael Gregg remains a member of the fair board. Gregg resigned from the panel in July and Swanson was appointed by the county board in August to fill the vacancy.

Also in August, an independent group, Friends of the Dickinson County Fair, received a reported donation of about $17,000 from the Dickinson County 100-Plus Women Who Care. At least some of that money was potentially available to help address a leaking roof and other “concession row” deficiencies, although no figure had been determined on what a total renovation might cost.

The exhibition hall has housed canning, bakery and antiques during the fair. The Dickinson County Racing Association has made use of the section nearest to the grandstand. Historic features of the building include an interior tin ceiling and archways.

According to Stachowicz’s motion, the fair board intends to save the tin to be reused elsewhere. The fate of the building was not an agenda item, as it was brought up during board members’ personal privilege time.

Also brought up during personal privilege was a motion from Swanson, supported by Stachowicz, to rename the John Degenaer Jr. Administration Building at the fairgrounds by removing Degenaer’s name.

The minutes state the fair board will look into getting plaques “for everyone that has put in their time and efforts in the fair.” Voting no were DalSanto, Gunville and Barkle.

The renaming of the building came up during citizens’ time at a Feb. 9 meeting of the Dickinson County Board and met protest from Commissioner Joe Stevens, who described it as “a real insult” to Degenaer and to fair board members who in 2024 approved the naming of the building. Degenaer had helped lead the fair for 40 years.

Also discussed at the county board meeting was the fair board’s decision to look into selling its recently obtained liquor license. Minutes from the Feb. 3 fair board meeting show that Gunville cast the only vote against that course.

The unapproved minutes cited in this story were provided to the county after citizens sought information on the fair board’s actions. The fair board’s monthly meetings are typically scheduled for 6 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month in the administration building.

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Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 85226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.