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A bill attempting to redistribute oversight of the Utah Fairpark and eventually turn it into a self-sustaining entity won the unanimous endorsement of the House Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee Friday and now moves to the full House. SB173, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Van Tassell, R-Vernal, would create the State Fair Park Advisory Committee, which would include six legislators who could meet with the fair board as needed. The bill also gives the fair board authority to approve projects without waiting for the Legislature to be in session.

Although the state fair turns a profit, Van Tassell said, there currently aren't enough events to make money for the park throughout the year.

Other organizations, such as Days of 47, have expressed interest in using the Fairpark as a venue, but Van Tassell said due to the state's past neglect of maintenance, significant work must be done to make the facility fit for use.

Rep. Mel Brown, R-Coalville, said he was concerned that this might take away from a focus on agriculture and involvement of the Department of Agriculture and Food at the park.

He said he hopes this bill can be successful but commented on several unsuccessful attempts over the years to make the property self-sustaining.

"I believe that sometime sooner or later if we're going to have a fair, the Legislature will have to appropriate some money each year to help support it," Brown said.

Rep. Mike McKell, R-Spanish Fork, the bill's House sponsor, said backers don't anticipate the Fairpark can become self-sustaining quickly.

"I'd like to say this is the perfect bill and that we're not going to have to touch it," Van Tassell said. "But I think the understanding of where we are with the Fairpark and what we're doing is now in place, and we just need to make sure it works and go forward."

The senator said the 8,000 people who live near the Fairpark are excited for its "revitalization" and the business it would bring to their community.

Marti Woolford, chairwoman of the Poplar Grove Community Council, the neighborhood adjacent to the fair park, confirmed Van Tassell's statement, expressing support of the measure.

People representing the Division of Facilities Construction & Management, Salt Lake City and the current State Fair Board also spoke in favor of the bill.