The Fairgrounds is getting a Face-Lift!
After over a hundred years in operation, the Powell County community collaborated to develop the first Fairgrounds Master Plan.
The Powell County Fairgrounds is a truly incredible asset for the Deer Lodge Community and the entire region. The rich history and long-term community support of the Fairgrounds makes it ripe for a new vision and expanded use. The Fairgrounds location at the north entry to the Deer Lodge make it an important “Main Street” improvement. We are excited to continue hosting the Big Sky Draft Horse Expo, and embrace the Fairgrounds for its importance to agricultural education, youth programs, and the Tri-County Fair.
In 2024, Powell County put out a formal Request for Qualifications to lead the development of a Fairgrounds Master Plan. Mosaic Architecture was selected to lead this work and continues to provide outstanding leadership and project support as the plan moves forward with implementation in 2026. Many stakeholder and public meetings and listening sessions were held throughout 2024 to ensure that the Master Plan truly reflected Powell County and Fairgrounds user needs, with safety and accessibility identified as top priorities. The community was clear that the Fairgrounds plays a vital role in making Deer Lodge a great place to live and are dedicated to defining the next great chapter in its long history.
The 2025 Master Plan website & online version can be found here!
A printable version of the 2025 Master Plan is available here.
2025 was spent reorganizing the management of the Fairgrounds and catching up on long-past-due maintenance.
A Fairgrounds Maintenance Board was re-established, and has worked exceedingly hard the last several months on volunteer time. So far, their accomplishments include:
- Installed a new crows nest (this will ultimately be relocated and re-stabilized, but provided a safer alternative to the previous, unusable structure)
- Participated in providing critical input that guided the development of the new Master Plan and Grandstands design
- Begun identifying maintenance priorities and creating maintenance schedules
- Prepared for and help to execute successful events for the 2025 season
- Hired a new event coordinator!!
- Addressed ongoing sewer issues with a plan for sewer replacement in 2026.
The Board continues to be involved in Fairgrounds renovation but their focus is on grounds maintenance and preparing for the upcoming 2026 event season around Fairgrounds upgrades.
(The Fair Board is a separate board with an allocated County budget dedicated to hosting the Tri-County Fair. The project maintains coordination with the Fair Board even though they are not directly involved in the project).
Grandstands - Priority #1
The old Powell County Grandstands were examined by an a structural engineer in 2023 and were found to be well-deteriorated and in a severely dilapidated state. After over 100 years of use, it's no wonder. In order to make room for the upcoming season, a large section of the old grandstands was demolished in 2024.
In August 2025, a new concept for the grandstands, fairgrounds entry, Main Street frontage, and beer garden was introduced, and we could not be more thrilled to share this with you!!
** It should be noted that there was many strong discussions about reconstructing the concessions under the grandstands. After many conversations and community discussions, and design attempts, it was decided to not place concessions back under the grandstands due to the high cost and dislike for how it looked when redesigned. The proposed layout will be different, but will optimize flexible use and minimize new infrastructure costs. Along with the new grandstands, the following amenities are part of Phase 1 construction, though funding is not yet identified: a standalone concessions, restrooms, covered vendor/food-truck parking & staging areas, beer garden, and new future Exhibit Hall.
The plan continues to evolve as feedback is provided. Public meetings were held again in November 2025 to gather feedback about the proposed Grandstands design. All comments have been acknowledged and incorporated to-date.
View the concept plan for the new Grandstands here.
SPRING 2026 CONSTRUCTION
In January 2025, Powell County solicited for competitive bids for a Fairgrounds General Contractor/Construction Management to implement Phase 1 of the Master Plan, which prioritizes the reconstruction of the Grandstands, small, and large arenas, fencing, panels, and crow's nest.
Swank Enterprises was selected to oversee construction, which will begin February-March 2026.
Spring construction activities are expected to conclude prior to the Draft Horse Expo in June and include:
- Demolition of the remaining grandstands and the re-shoring of the Exhibit Hall northern end until a new Exhibit Hall can be built.
- Move and reconstruct the large and small arenas, panels, fencing, and Crow's Nest with proper storm water drainage, base material, and fill
- Pouring and placement of the grandstands foundation, which will provide approximately 500 cast-in concrete seats and an elevated platform for the temporary bleachers
Constructing the remaining grandstands and canopy over the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 season will depend on the success of fundraising efforts.
Additional Phase 1 improvements (will be implemented as funding is secured): -
- Main Street gateway realignment and street-front pedestrian and site-access improvements.
- Covered vendor/food-truck parking & staging areas
- Parking, site safety, and accessibility improvements for eventgoers and participants
- Concessions & restrooms
- Arena-side Beer Garden ($400k estimated)
Phase 2: Immediate Priority: New future Exhibit Hall
As of February 6, 2026, the grandstands construction drawings are at 50%.
Contractors can keep an eye out for project bids related to concrete, excavation, and fencing around March 2026.
PROJECT FUNDING:
Currently unidentified beyond the Powell County starting contribution of $1 million.
Powell County has carefully budgeted an additional 200k+ in site utility upgrades and infrastructure improvements since 2023.
Thank you very much for those that have come forward with seed funding. This money is directly and strategically going to work for our community!
If you are as excited about this as we are, please consider a donation. Every dollar matters! 100% of donations will go toward this current phase of redevelopment.
Tax deductible donations can be made at First Security Bank. $1.7 million is needed by September 2026 in order to have a covered Grandstands structure in-place before the start of the 2027 season.
$1.7 is needed by September 2026 to complete the covered grandstands (bleacher and canopy set).
Remaining Phase 1 improvements: (Approximately $4 million)
- Main Street gateway realignment and street-front pedestrian and site-access improvements.
- Covered vendor/food-truck parking & staging areas
- Parking, site safety, and accessibility improvements for eventgoers and participants
- Concessions & restrooms
- Arena-side Beer Garden ($400k estimated)
CONTRIBUTIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE
The Fairgrounds has a newly established, so donations are tax-deductible.
A Fairgrounds Improvement Foundation 501(c)3 was started in 2023 and reorganized with new membership in 2025. The not-for-profit is financially unaffiliated with Powell County. Board members include Yvonne Hansen, Janeen Hebbe, Darcy Launderville, Bill Bandy, John Perkins, Maline Bandy, Gail Duncan, and Ed Hebbe IV. The Board is currently organizing fundraising efforts and sponsorships (February 2026). Commissioner Wortman and County Planning Director Amanda Cooley are involved with the group and attending meetings regularly for coordination.
DONATION LEVELS
- $100-$10,000 Name recognition on the donor wall
- $10,000+ Copper recognition
- $50,000+ Silver recognition
- $100,000+ Gold recognition
- $500,000+ Platinum recognition on the donor wall + Naming rights negotiation
If you are interested in donating or supporting this work, please contact Yvonne Hansen: 406-.498-3177.
If you have questions, concerns, or feedback about the Grandstands/Fairgrounds renovations, PLEASE CONTACT US!
Amanda Cooley - County Planning Director: acooley [at] powellcountymt.gov (acooley[at]powellcountymt[dot]gov), 406-846-9729
Leonard Wortman - County Commissioner: lwortman [at] powellcountymt.gov (lwortman[at]powellcountymt[dot]gov), 406-846-9788
To Book an Event, or for Fairgrounds Maintenance questions or concerns, please contact:
Kelly Knight - Fairgrounds Coordinator: kknight [at] powellcountymt.gov (kknight[at]powellcountymt[dot]gov), 406-846-9722 OR
406-439-0797 or at pcfairgroundsboard [at] gmail.com (pcfairgroundsboard[at]gmail[dot]com)