Committee Appointed to Advise Fiscal Court on Proposed Fair Ground / Sportsplex Project

During the last meeting (June 26, 2025) of the Jackson County Fiscal Court, a committee was created (and members appointed) that would meet and subsequently provide recommendations to the fiscal court regarding details of a proposed Jackson County Park / Fairgrounds project in Jackson County. (There will also be additional public meetings where the public can provide input on these details.) 

An effort was made to have the members represent a wide range of interests in the county. The members appointed include Brian Murray (JC Fair Board), Kathy Spurlock (JC Off-Roaders), Erik Hubbard (Backroads of Appalachia), Shane Gabbard (JC Fiscal Court), Greg Lakes (JC Tourism), Ashley Wagers (JC Public Library), Keith Gabbard (Kiwanis), Rodney Chrisman (JC Community Foundation), Devonna Hisel (JC Saddle Club), Judy Schmitt (JC Grant Writers), and Tim Truett (State Representative). 

This group will meet and discuss pertinent details of the proposed Park/Fairgrounds before making recommendations to the magistrates that comprise the Jackson County Fiscal Court. 

The public is also invited to attend planned informational meetings, as well as fiscal court meetings, to offer suggestions and recommendations. A fiscal court vote will make the final decisions. 

The project has been in development for some time. At a December 2023 meeting of the Jackson County Fiscal Court, State Representative Tim Truett spoke of a vision that he, Judge Gabbard, and other leaders and citizens within Jackson County have for a key community project within the City limits of McKee. The leadership in Jackson County has repeatedly identified the need for a multipurpose complex in a central location to allow outdoor recreational activities. This type of project could place several baseball and softball fields, an amphitheater, a pavilion for the County Fair, space for JC Fair activities, future rally car shows, walking tracks, a cross-country track, pickle ball courts, RV camping, picnic shelters, parking space for events, etc. in Jackson County. 

The project began to take shape as reality when State Representative Timmy Truett shared some wonderful news with the community at the start of 2024. After a lot of work and discussions with his colleagues in Frankfort, Representative Truett and Senator Stivers secured $4 million to help develop a recreational complex on property near the city of McKee. Representative Truett commented, "I'm super excited about the fact that we were able to secure the funding for our JC Sportsplex project. I can't wait to see this project started and how it will impact our county in the years to come. A huge thank you to Senate President Robert Stivers for helping with this, his being our senator is a huge deal." 

One of the necessary steps is to hold community meetings to solicit input from county citizens and stakeholders in the project. State Representative Tim Truett facilitated the first of these community meetings at the Jackson County Extension Office Conference Center at the beginning of February 2024. A second community meeting was held on September 28, 2024 at the Jackson County Public Library. More community meetings will be held prior to finalizing any plans. 

The purpose of these meetings was to maintain transparency and keep the public informed of the status of the project as well as continuing to solicit input from the public stakeholders regarding project priorities. 

Another purpose of the meeting was to gauge community support for various draft aspects of this future vision for Jackson County as well as continue to glean ideas and generate a wish list of facilities and opportunities that residents would like to see brought to the community. A survey was completed during the 2024 Jackson County Fair asking residents (96) and non-residents (16) what features they would consider important for recreational areas, trails, Fair Grounds/Event Areas, as well as any others. Over half of those surveyed were between the ages of 10-39 with the majority in that age group being 10-19. 

A very rough, preliminary strawman map was prepared and used by the group(s) to show where the property is located and to brainstorm ideas. Representative Truett clarified that, of course, nothing is set in stone, and this type of project (or any of the proposed attendant features) is in any way guaranteed. 

The land to build it on was the first thing needed. Approximately 100 acres of land within the City of McKee just off McCammon Ridge Road with relatively flat topography that could be developed was identified. The $4 million dollars secured by Representative Truett and Senator Stivers allowed the land to be purchased. The land has also been successfully surveyed. 

Approximately $328,000 (of the $4 million) has been spent on land purchasing and surveying. The remainder of the funding is earmarked for the project and can't be spent on anything else. 

The next steps include the development of necessary infrastructure, such as adequate access roads, electricity, water, parking, etc. 

The hope is to create a project that is self-sustainable and one that can also be expanded upon with additional grants and funding as they become available and as new opportunities and identification of needs arise.