City tourism commission hires Laurel County Regional Fairgrounds Manager

Yahoo

25-04-2025

After months of discussion surrounding the position, the London City Tourism Commission has selected a Laurel County Regional Fairgrounds Manager.
Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the hire of 52-year-old Christina Sowders of Corbin to fill the role during the regular meeting Monday, April 21. The announcement was made following an executive session.
Sowders' experience with event planning, hospitality, and agriculture made her a top candidate for the job. In her role, Sowders will oversee the managing, marketing, planning, and upkeep of the Fairgrounds. This includes the existing buildings, as well as the project that is currently underway.
"I'm just excited to get out and meet the people of London-Laurel County and bring something really exciting to the area for the residents and for tourism," Sowders commented.
The ongoing Fairgrounds and Belle Bennett Auditorium projects were also discussed at length. Members of the Millstone Community Theatre attended the meeting to show their continued support of the Belle Bennett project. The crew has consistently attended the meetings due to their interest in using the building for their performances.
At Belle Bennett, missing window panes remain an issue, so the commission voted to move forward with bidding. The motion was made by Commissioner Starr Handy, then seconded by Commissioner Josh Samples.
Long-term options discussed include replacing all 100 windows — estimated under $100,000 — or pursuing historic preservation methods, which could cost $350 to $700 per window, depending on condition. The commission has not committed to additional work beyond sealing the building.
Commissioner Samples emphasized the importance of improving energy efficiency, noting that such upgrades would help reduce long-term heating and cooling costs.
Discussion also included the need for a "clearer direction."
'I'd just like to see a clear path or maybe an outline of where we're going,' said Handy. 'I think we just need to hash out a plan.'
Commissioner Todd Roberts made similar comments, stating, "I think we have to have a better sense of what we're going to be doing — a clearer direction. Otherwise, I can't be for putting money into this project."
Chair Phil Smith said a wish list of potential projects on the building is being compiled, including an ADA-compliant elevator — estimated between $75,000 and $125,000 — as well as painting, floor refinishing, and seating. He noted that part of the Fairgrounds job description includes coordinating and planning events for Belle Bennett as well.
Current spending at the Belle Bennett site includes $271,000 previously approved, $9,000 for electrical work, $9,000 for mold removal, and gutter repairs. Additional work, such as landscaping, has been handled in-house. Smith shared that the total cost remains under $300,000.
As for the the Fairgrounds, the Commission approved up to $15,000 for painting projects ahead of the upcoming archery tournament. This includes the Kentucky Farm Bureau building (estimated around $7,000) the back of the pavilion, trim areas, and a nearby restroom to match the park's color scheme. The motion was made by Commissioner Samples and seconded by Commissioner Chase Carson.
To support financing for the Fairgrounds, commissioners recommended Cumberland Valley National Bank. Out of five banks involved, only Cumberland Valley met the requested 20-year term criteria. Their proposed rate was approximately 2.5% lower than the next closest offer.
The bank is expected to open a line of credit — up to $5 million — after underwriting. The motion to proceed with Cumberland Valley was made by Roberts and seconded by Handy.
Additionally, the commission noted that over $1 million in payments have been made to HWC for fairgrounds-related work. That information has been submitted to the fiscal court and the state, which is administering a grant reimbursement. A turnaround of a few weeks is expected for the $1 million grant check to be received and passed along.
The following items were also approved during the meeting:
— The commission agreed to share the cost of a downtown parking lot with the City for the remainder of the year. The monthly lease is $2,000, so each entity would pay $1,000 per month until December 31. The commission will then reconvene to discuss the partnership.
— Parks and Recreation Director Ben Sizemore shared that a work truck was needed for landscaping and maintenance, specifically identifying a used 2018 Ford F-150 with four doors and four-wheel drive. The purchase, which will cost $18,549, received support from commissioners.
— South Little League, which reopened over the weekend, requested assistance with replacing outdated in-field lighting, to which the commission agreed. Sizemore provided a quote for replacing all the fixtures with LED sports lighting, which was $36,750. A local contractor has volunteered to install the lights at no charge. A commissioner, likely Roberts, will also begin attending the league's board meetings.
— Also regarding parks, commissioners approved a motion to apply for a trail grant to fund the proposed one-mile loop behind the swimming pool at Levi Jackson. The grant is an 80-20 match, with the total cost of the project estimated to be around $180,000. Sizemore plans to apply for 723 funds to cover the park's share of the match, leaving only about 3% of the cost to be paid directly.
The meeting adjourned with the announcement of the Fairgrounds hire.
The London City Tourism Commission meets at the London Community Center at 5:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month. The commission's next regular meeting will be held May 19. To watch livestreams of the meetings, visit "The City of London" Facebook page.