Fairboard issues ultimatum on bleachers

By CONNIE JO DISCOE

Regional Editor

In the ongoing saga of the bleachers in the Kiplinger Arena on the Red Willow County fairgrounds in McCook, the county's fair board has given the manufacturer of the bleachers 15 days to prove to McCook City Manager John Bingham and City Building Inspector Doyle Wineland that the bleachers comply with Nebraska building codes.

County Attorney Paul Wood said the letter basically said the manufacturer has 15 days (from receipt of the letter) "to convince Doyle, or 15 days to refund (the county's) money and remove the bleachers."

The controversy revolves around whether the bleachers meet Nebraska building codes, not whether "they are safe," commissioner Leigh Hoyt has said in the past regarding the bleachers.

Wood said city officials have told him "all they want is compliance," not filing a lawsuit against the county board.

Wood said his advice to commissioners on Day 16 will most likely be to move the bleachers out and get a refund.

The bleachers were built by the D.G.J.D. Co., owned by Gordon Maatsch of Jefferson, Colo. The bleachers were purchased in October, 2003, for $15,500, which was a low bid when fair board members were shopping for bleachers for the arena.

Bingham has said in the past that if the bleachers were to fail due to code non-compliance, he and Wineland could face personal fines and imprisonment, and that the county and city could be sued for damages.