New lights at fairgrounds

SANDPOINT—Despite being in the season of darkness, the Bonner County Fairgrounds will get lighter soon.

And we’re not talking spring.

From the parking lots to the grounds, the lights at the county fairgrounds are slated to be replaced with more energy efficient bulbs and fixtures thanks in part to a grant from Northern Lights and Bonneville Power.

Groundskeeper Robert Snider applied for the grant that will help fuel the approximately $60,000 project.

The county will begin advertising for bids beginning this week and the bidding process ends Feb. 12. After bids are awarded officials expect the old, circa 1970s lights to be replaced with new, more energy efficient and brighter lights within a month.

“It’s a month project, but for us it’s a huge project,” Snider said.

The new lights will reduce the wattage by as much as 35 percent, he said.

That equates to a financial savings for the fairgrounds as well as brighter parking lots and grounds, he said. The auditorium lights won’t be changed.

“It will cost less and light up more,” he said.