4-H council to get new fair exhibit building

As part of the celebration of the SEMO District Fair's 150th anniversary, the SEMO Fair Board, the City of Cape Girardeau and the Cape County 4-H Council have teamed up to promote a joint project of constructing a new 4-H exhibit building at Arena Park on the SEMO District Fair grounds.

Donna Taake, 4-H youth specialist, said, "We've had to limit the size of some 4-H'er projects because we just don't have room for them. We've been exhibiting our projects upstairs in the Arena Building. ... Some of the people that come to see them just can't get up the stairs."

The new building will be near the 4-H and FFA livestock shelters so that all 4-H exhibits and livestock can be in the same area on the fairgrounds.

The current 2,000 square feet of space will be doubled to 4,000 square feet. The new building size will be 40-by-100 feet, with an estimated cost of $100,000. Although the building will be maintained and insured by the city of Cape Girardeau at no cost to 4-H, 4-H will have first choice to use the building free of charge any time during the year. Large group activities will now be a possibility.

Funds are currently being raised, and the club is expected to occupy the building by the time the 2005 SEMO District Fair opens.

A large 4-H clover on a wall inside the new building will list fund donors. There are four levels of donations: $100 to $499, $500 to $999, $1,000 to $4,999, and $5,000 and above. For more information call 243-3581. Checks can be made payable to Cape County 4-H Council, P.O. Box 408, Jackson, Mo. 63755.