MEADVILLE, Pa. — The two-year old dairy barn lost in last year’s winter weather won’t be replaced in time for the Crawford County fair, but dairy exhibitors will still have a place to call home for the fair’s run.
Two tents will replace the Heritage Hall Dairy Barn at this year’s fair to house dairy cattle.
Morris Waid, fair board president and a Crawford County commissioner, said it hasn’t been determined yet whether the damage was the result of wind or snow last January.
The dairy barn collapsed Jan. 6 collapsed under the weight of snow and strong winds. It could hold up to 320 cows. The 120–by-320 foot barn was built in 2008 at a cost of $465,000.
Waid said the county is still working with the insurance company to determine a settlement and what can be built. He said the hope is that a new building will be ready for the 2011 fair.
In an average year, Waid said about 500 cows are exhibited at the fair and they are counting on the same amount this year.
The fair board had hoped to have the building replaced by the company, Cover-All Building Systems Inc. of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, that built it. However, Cover-All Building Systems filed for bankruptcy in March and the fair was not able to recoup the loss from the company due to the court filing.
Cover-All had reportedly designed the building so that snow would slide off and the construction was supposed to ensure it could withstand the winter weather of northwestern Pennsylvania.
Waid said the fair board is moving on and is excited about this year’s events.
“The fair is going to be here before we know it,” he said.
He said his hope is for good weather for the week of the fair, which is set for Aug. 21-Aug. 28.
