A well-known Danville businessman and some of his family are proposing a new sports park west of the city. Frank Wright says the plan calls for purchasing the 43-acre site where the county fairgrounds is located….
{AUDIO – ‘’We’re proposing buying the fairgrounds and putting it back on the tax roll. We’ll pay property taxes. We’ll pay income taxes on all the income we do. We’ll have a sales tax number where when we sell items the county will collect. It will be a positive all the way around,’’ said Wright. ‘’All year long money will be pouring back into the county from this instead of it being a drain. For the past several years it’s just been a drain. It’s setting there right now doing nothing.’’}
Wright says his family wants to bring races back – but that’s not all….
{AUDIO – ‘’Our family’s been involved in racing since 1934. But racing is only going to be a part of this sports complex. We’re going to have R.C. cars fully-timed. Through the winter we’re going to be able to have a spot free to bring your kids and have indoor fun. We’re going to have a hobby shop. (We’re going to be) 365 days a year online. We’re going to be open through the week for people to come and see. We’re going to continue with the horse arena. We’re going to invite rodeos. We’re going to invite super late-model races. We’re going to have opportunities for families to come all year long. Some items will be free.’’}
The deal is not done yet to purchase the property, but Wright says ‘’the money is there. Our family’s worked for many years and had a successful business. We have a proven track record. We know how to handle business,’’ added Wright. And he says that’s why the money is ready to go.
So what would happen with the Vermilion County Fair? –
{AUDIO – ‘’County Fair? – I have an idea for that. The Jaycees used to put on a private fair. And, you know, the Jaycees do a lot of good. And lately they haven’t had a real good spot for that. We’re going to offer the facility for them – free of charge – as long as the proceeds continue to be given to what the Jaycees do.’’}
Wright expects it would be several months before the new sports park is fully operational….
{AUDIO – ‘’My estimation it’s going to take anywhere from six to nine months to complete. And then at the end of this year we would have the indoor hobby shop open. We would have the indoor RC cars going. We would have slot cars. Outdoors (is) for airplanes and things. We’re going to have tables set up. And, of course, that will be free of charge. Not everything is going to be an admission. There’s going to be things that are open where you can just come out and have some fun.’’}
Wright talked about some of the work that’s planned during an interview with Neuhoff Media…
{AUDIO – ‘’There will be some new construction going on with the sports complex portion. You know, the softball field. The go-cart track. The racetrack – we will bring it back to its glory. Phil Richardson did a wonderful job when he ran it. The only hope is to get somebody as good. You will never get anybody better than Phil Richardson, but we’re going to try to bring it back to where Phil had it.’’}
The fairgrounds is located west of the U.S. 150 – I-74 interchange.
