Features
Illinois Fair Repairs
The Illinois State Fairgrounds is gearing up for emergency repairs this summer to fix the grandstand’s rotting roof.
A section of the grandstand roof has begun dropping pieces of debris in the stands, and workers recently had to install a safety barrier on the underside of the roof to ensure safety of patrons during the Springfield Mile motorcycle race.
“The state’s finances have prevented a roof replacement from happening,” Illinois Department of Agriculture spokesman Jeff Squibb told the Southern Illinoisian.
The problem apparently began after water seeped under a rubber membrane on the grandstand roof, causing it to rot.
Squibb added that a $60,000 emergency contract will help fund a permanent fix of the roof. The repairs are expected to wrap in time for the Illinois State Fair to begin in August.