Despite a cloudy, overcast sky, Hermiston’s future looked pretty bright Thursday morning as officials broke ground on the Eastern Oregon Trade & Event Center (EOTEC) property.
EOTEC board member Dan Dorran said the plans for the facility began decades ago and that the city began the process of purchasing the property on S. Ott Road back in 1982.
“What visionaries they were to look that far ahead into the future,” said Dorran, who thanked key individuals and organizations for their roles in helping to secure a future spot for the Umatilla County Fair and Farm-City Pro Rodeo – the latter event didn’t even exist when the property was purchased 32 years ago.
Dorran also gave special recognition to Joe Burns, a founding member of the Hermiston Economic Development Corporation. Burns was on hand for Wednesday’s ceremony.
“This is a successful solution to a growing problem in our city,” the mayor said. “The fair, rodeo and high school are running out of room. Now we are no longer limited by space limitations, but only by the limits of our vision.”
The fair is currently located on property adjacent to the high school. The fair, along with the rodeo, will move to the event center in 2016.
Drotzmann said the center will also be a boon for the local economy.
“This will bring in tourism and revenue to our small businesses,” he said.
Oregon State Rep. Greg Smith (R-Heppner) said the center is the result of a partnership between government, organizations and community members.
“I look at what’s happening here in Hermiston and it’s phenomenal,” he said. “Why is this occurring? Because friends have come together. And when friends lock arms, it’s amazing what we can accomplish.”
