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Status of Grandstands and Bleachers

For 122 years, the Flathead County Fairgrounds has served as a pivotal center for education, social activities, recreation, and commerce for residents of Flathead County and its neighbors. The Fairgrounds' arena and seating structures, approaching their centennial, are visibly worn from decades of use. In February 2024, as part of a broader capital improvement effort, Flathead County launched a project to design and build a new seating structure—complete with concessions and additional amenities—to replace the North Bleachers adjacent to the larger covered Grandstand.

Given their age and condition, the existing North Bleachers were deemed unsafe for use during the 2024 event season by the project team. Additionally, to adhere to the 2021 International Building Code (IBC), which requires annual inspections of bleachers and grandstands by qualified personnel, the team advised a thorough inspection of the Covered Grandstand and Infield Bleachers. Signs of wear on the Covered Grandstand necessitate an expert evaluation to ensure ongoing structural integrity.

On June 13, 2024, specialists from Martin/Martin Consulting Engineers conducted a detailed onsite visual structural condition assessment of the Grandstands and its supporting framework in accordance with standards set by the 2017 International Code Council (ICC) 300.

Flathead County is exuberant to report that the Covered Grandstands have been deemed to be in good condition and fit for continued use by Martin/Martin. The assessment also highlighted the need for specific repairs to enhance the integrity and extend the lifespan of the Grandstands, ensuring it remains a community hub for many years to come. These repairs must be completed before general seating can resume.

Flathead County is pleased to partner with Martel Construction, who will begin repairs July 8 with an expected completion date of July 16.
 

Fairgrounds Director Sam Nunnally commented, “Ensuring public safety continues to be our top priority. We are looking forward to making these repairs so the Grandstands can be used and enjoyed for generations to come.”
 

The 2024 Northwest Montana Fair, Rodeo and Summer Concerts will proceed as scheduled.

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Updated June 27, 2024

Martin/Martin Consulting Engineers conducted an on-site visual structural condition assessment of the Grandstands and its supporting framing on June 13, 2024. The evaluation found the superstructure to be in good condition and fit for continued use with some recommended repairs and maintenance.

After repairs are made, the Grandstands will reopen the first day of the 2024 Fair, August 13, 2024.

We will be updating information here, on the Flathead County Fairgrounds page. If specific events have been redirected to alternate venues, we will post all new locations and any other changes to the event here. You can also email publicinfoofficer(at)flathead.mt.gov with any inquiries.

All upcoming events will still take place, although some scheduling has changed. Visit https://flathead.mt.gov/application/files/7417/1804/8127/2024_Flathead_County_Fairgrounds_Event_Schedule.pdf for the 2024 Fairgrounds Schedule. Events that have yet to be scheduled will be added when dates have been determined.

We will be updating information here, on the Flathead County Fairgrounds page, as inspections are completed, and recommendations are made.

The North Bleachers have been closed due to their condition. Flathead County has also decided to close the arena Covered Grandstand and Infield Bleachers to ensure public safety until detailed inspections are completed and we can be assured they are safe for public use.

Only the North Bleachers have been formally inspected. There are many areas of the North Bleachers that show significant signs of rot and deterioration of the wood structure, framing, and beams. Based upon the existing observed condition, the North Bleachers were recommended to be closed to the public in its current state. A formal inspection of the Covered Grandstand and Infield Bleachers has not been completed yet. Flathead County is currently searching for a qualified party to conduct full inspections of the Grandstand and Infield Bleachers.

Detailed inspection of the Grandstand and Infield Bleachers was not part of the scope of work for the North Bleacher project. Due to the size and complexity of the Covered Grandstand structure, Flathead County is searching for a structural engineer with extensive experience in arena and stadium seating to conduct the inspection.

As of right now, we are looking into alternative options to possibly keep the 2024 rodeo and summer concerts at the Fairground without using the Covered Grandstands and infield bleachers. We are also exploring alternative locations for these events and will keep this platform updated as soon as definitive solutions are found.

The Fairgrounds are working with other Flathead venues to absorb Covered Grandstand events that would have been held in the Fairgrounds arena.

Absolutely not! The Fair, the PRCA Rodeo and both summer concerts will proceed as previously scheduled.

The North Bleachers have been permanently closed due to their poor condition and will be demolished later this year. In an abundance of safety, Flathead County temporarily closed the Grandstands until a formal inspection could confirm they were safe to use. The recent inspection deemed the Grandstands in good condition but requiring some repairs before they can be reopened. We are now making these repairs to ensure the Grandstands are ready for the 2024 Fair.

On June 13, 2024, specialists from Martin/Martin Consulting Engineers conducted a detailed onsite visual structural condition assessment of the Grandstands and its supporting framework in accordance with standards set by the 2017 International Code Council (ICC) 300.

Issues that need to be addressed before the Grandstands can open are reinforcing and repairing bridging on the roof canopy and reinforcement and bracing of the north end wall.

All issues found in the inspection will be addressed on the recommended timeline from Martin/Martin.

Flathead County is pleased to partner with Martel Construction. Together, we are gearing up to commence the necessary repairs on July 8, 2024, with an expected completion date of July 16, 2024. Grandstands and Infield Bleacher will be open for the 2024 Fair starting August 13, 2024.

The North Bleachers (uncovered bleachers north of Grandstand) will be closed and roped off during the Fair. These bleachers have been permanently closed and are set for demolition later this year.

Martel has quoted Flathead County $15,485 for these two immediate repairs to reopen, which will be taken from the County’s general fund. Funding for other non-immediate repairs have yet to be determined.

No events for future events are canceled. The 2024 Northwest Montana Rodeo and summer concerts will proceed as scheduled. Some events such as Monster Trucks and Mayhem will be scheduled after the Fair, but do not have certain dates yet.

All tickets can be purchased at https://www.nwmtfair.com/grandstand-events-and-tickets/ .

Tickets for the PRCA Rodeo will be available Monday, July 1 at 7:00 AM.

Tickets for the Summer Country Concert will be available Monday, July 1 at 7:00 AM only with the purchasing code announced from Bee Broadcasting radio stations. The first live recording will air on ‘The Bear’ at 106.3 FM after 7:00 AM announcements. The purchasing code will continue to be announced across Bee Broadcasting radio stations for 24 hours.

Tickets will be available without the purchasing code Tuesday, July 2 at 7:00 AM.

Tickets for the Summer Rock Concert will be available Tuesday, July 2 at 7:00 AM only with the purchasing code announced from KOFI Inc. radio stations. The first live recording will air on ‘The Monster’ at 103.9 FM after 7:00 AM announcements. The purchasing code will continue to be announced across KOFI Inc. radio stations for
24 hours.

Tickets will be available without purchasing code Wednesday, July 3 at 7:00 AM.

Page Last Updated: Jun 27, 2024