Civic Center
The Ashland County Agricultural Society has initiated a campaign to build a new Civic Center on the fairgrounds. This multi-purpose, state-of-the-art, 35,000-square-foot facility will attract local events and meetings to the area, as well as host community activities such as civic group and corporate meetings, weddings, birthday parties and other family events, home and garden shows, conventions, and banquets. In addition, it will serve as a space for city and county services, including polling for eight Ashland precincts and Red Cross emergency services.
Groundbreaking for the new facility is planned for 2025 following a fundraising campaign that is currently underway. The site will be on the footprint of current fairgrounds facilities that will be razed to make room, including Mozelle Hall, Hobby Building and a restroom/shower house.
Take a Virtual Tour of the Civic Center
Ashland Mayor Discusses Civic Center with President of the Ashland County Fair Board – view here
Frequently Asked Questions
The Civic Center will provide a large, multi-purpose space for use by area businesses and residents. It would help attract out-of-town shows to the area, bringing people to the area to visit local restaurants, hotels, and tourist attractions.
The Civic Center is envisioned to be a place for events such as home and garden shows, corporate/civic group meetings, family celebrations (e.g., weddings and birthday parties), conventions, banquets, and more.
The Civic Center will offer benefits to the local community in many ways:
- For Ashland County, the Civic Center is anticipated to attract new shows, such as home and garden shows, private events (e.g., weddings), as well as corporate meetings. In addition, the Red Cross can use it to provide emergency services.
- For the City of Ashland, the Civic Center will replace Mozelle Hall as a polling location for eight precincts.
- For the Ashland County Fair, the Civic Center on the fairgrounds will offer updated and modern exhibition areas, meeting spaces, a functional kitchen, and concessions.
The Civic Center is being planned by a volunteer steering committee that includes several Ashland County Fair Board directors and Ashland County residents. The steering committee is seeking contributions that will provide commemorative naming rights for the Civic Center as well as specific areas of the building. The goal of the fundraising campaign is to raise $6 million in private funds.
Mozelle Hall, built in 1955, is a cement-block structure with wooden flooring that holds moisture and causes the floor to swell, distort, and emit a musty smell in the summer. In the winter, the four large overhead heaters are noisy and inadequate. The building lacks ventilation, insulation, and air conditioning.
The Hobby Building has reached its limit with photography and displays during the Ashland County Fair. It does not have heating, air conditioning, or insulation.
The restroom/shower house lacks adequate heating and has to be shut down and drained when the temperature drops below freezing.
Groundbreaking is anticipated to be in 2025 with completion by 2026, which is the 175th anniversary of the Ashland County Fair.
Contact one of the following:
- Natalie Wesner-Goschinski, Civic Center Steering Committee Chair, 567-203-2080
- Cathy Rice, Secretary, Ashland County Agricultural Society 419-289-0466
- Email ashfair@zoominternet.net
Donations to the Civic Center are tax deductible.
Fundraising
The Civic Center campaign steering committee, comprised of volunteers from the Fair Board of Directors and other Ashland County residents, have initiated a campaign to raise $6 million for construction of the building.
The committee is seeking contributions that will provide commemorative naming rights for the Civic Center as well as specific areas of the building.
To discuss sponsorship opportunities, contact:
- Natalie Wesner-Goschinski, Civic Center Campaign Steering Committee Chair, 567-203-2080
- Cathy Rice, Secretary, Ashland County Agricultural Society, 419-289-0466
- Email ashfair@zoominternet.net
Commemorative Gift Opportunities
$3,000,000 – Civic Center
$1,000,000 – Full Exhibition Area
- $500,000 – West Side Exhibition Area
- $500,000 – East Side Exhibition Area
$500,000 – Main Entrance with Drive-Under Canopy
$250,000 – Lobby
$250,000 – West Side Meeting Room
$100,000 – Drive-Under Canopy
$100,000 – Fireplace
$100,000 – Kitchen
$75,000 – Patio
$50,000 – Concession 1
$50,000 – Concession 2
$50,000 – Main Entrance Vestibule
$50,000 – Southwest Storage Area
$25,000+ – Landscaping
