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History of the Scott County Indoor Arena & Activity Center 

    The Scott County Indoor Arena & Activity Center was completed in the summer of 2000 but work to build the Arena started many years before.   Local people had talked about an Indoor facility but nothing had materialized.   In December, 1996 Deb Lawrence started getting bids to see what an arena would cost.  She talked to Bill Walker & Joy Cole about the possibility of collecting donations and trying to get one built.  Joy and Deb began meeting with local groups, clubs and individuals to see if they could generate support for the project.   They donated money and sent out letters to all residents in the County (with Carmen Miller helping address, stamp & fold letters) describing the project and asking for donations.   Gradually donations began coming in.   After meeting with The William Carpenter Foundation, they gave the project a huge boost when they pledged $50,000.00  with a time table for completion.  A board was founded and the members donated start up cash for expenses.  The original board members were:

 The County Commissioners pledged the ground for the building at the Scott County Fairgrounds and it was agreed that when the project was completed ownership would be transferred to the County of Scott County.   The County Commissioners were a huge help to the committee and were:  Jack Frick, Stan Salmans and Jim Minnix.

   The community supported the project whole heartedly and donations started flowing in!  The Scott County Record and News Chronicle provided extensive advertising.   Groups held fund raisers to benefit the arena.  When donations started slowing down & the project was in need of a final boost,  the William Carpenter Board once again came through with an additional $25,000.00!  In all, total donations topped $230,000.00.  A complete list of the original donors is listed on the east wall of the Arena meeting room.  We are extremely grateful for their generosity.

 Bids were opened with Donald Biehl Construction, Bellevue, Texas chosen to construct the building.  Ground was broken on March 6, 2000.   Jim Minnix said at the ground breaking ceremony, “Scott County can be proud of the facility, built by the people and businesses.  This project shows what a community can do when we all work together.”  The county (under the direction of Rich Cramer) prepared the site for  construction.   Once the building was up,  Dave Appel, a local contractor, agreed to work with local volunteers to construct rooms inside the building for free!   Dave, Shorty Lawrence & Brian Rowton started the frame work for a men’s & women’s bathroom, meeting room and kitchen.  Dave and Shorty continued working nights & weekends throughout the summer with a group of local volunteers.   People donating many weeks ( and a few all of their summer)  were: 

There were many other people who stopped & helped during the summer & although we don't have a full list, their work was greatly appreciated!  Harry LaToush and Dr. Phil Phar did the extensive ground work for the arena.   Wally Robinson worked with the local contractors plus worked with the Lampe boys installing bathroom stalls, meeting room windows, etc.   Ray Griswold of Barber Sheet Metal donated the central heat & air for the finished rooms and L&L Carpeting donated the tile & carpeting.  Work continued for several months with a wide host of helpers!  Kevin Davis' FFA classes refurbished the old bleachers (donated by Scott Rec) that had previously been used at the Ball Fields.  The FFA classes, sanded, stained & rebuilt all the bleachers and Wally Robinson moved all the bleachers with his tractor.   Security State Bank donated money to build the two crows nests and the pipe perimeter fence.  The pipe cattle pens and runs north of the building were donated by the Hap Silvey family in his memory.   The local roping club members donated money and welded the fence south of the arena.   Wally Robinson planted grass inside the south fence (donated by Sharp Brothers Seed) so children would have a safe place to play while at the Fair Grounds.   

Joy & Deb were presented with the “Scott County 2000 Volunteers of the Year” for their work to make the arena a reality. 

The building stands as a testament to the generosity and support of all the people who donated money or labor towards the completion of the building.  The building was built to give the people of Scott County and surrounding areas a place which they could use year round.  It was also built with the intention of bringing people to our community, which would in turn help the local economy.  As stated by Deb  "When we started this project, cattle and crop prices were both depressed, yet the community continued to open up their hearts and their wallets.  The community built this activity center and we want the community to use it!"