Over a decade in the making, Union County breaks ground on its new fairgrounds wastewater system
By Garrett Christensen on Tuesday, November 18th, 2025 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – After years of combined effort from Union County Commissioners, local board members and volunteers, and legislative advocates, the Union County Fairgrounds officially broke ground on its long-planned water and septic system project this past Friday, November 14 during a ceremony and fundraising event. After over a decade of relying on mobile water and restroom facilities, the Union County Fairgrounds are on the precipice of functioning plumbing once more.
Reflecting on the recent milestone, Union County Commissioner Matt Scarfo, who has been a driving force on the project for around six years, excitedly told Elkhorn Media Group:
“I’m going to be happy to see it done! We’re not done yet. That’s the thing, yes, we’re here, we’re celebrating it, I’m excited, relieved, but I want to see it completed. I can’t wait for the fair next year and the ribbon cutting. That’s when I will finally feel that we did it. But, right now, I will take it.”
Former Union County Commissioner Donna Beverage, who likewise spent years working on the project, reflected:
“It really feels like a milestone. It feels like all the work people have done for all these years is finally coming to fruition. Also, seeing all these kids that are here to help us celebrate, and all the generations of kids that have been here all this time, I just feel like it’s a blessing, I just feel like it’s an answered prayer.”
At around 4:00 p.m. on November 14, the Union County Commissioners, various local supporters, along with State Representative Bobby Levy and Senator Tod Nash, dug the first ceremonial scoops of dirt, marking the beginning of construction. Following this, the attendees moved to the Mr. Emily building for a bar, dinner, and dessert auction fundraiser with members of the public. The funds raised during this event will be used to further support the fairgrounds.
Representative Levy, who has been working with Commissioner Scarfo on the project since 2021 and served as the chief sponsor of the bill that finally authorized state funding for the fairgrounds, told Elkhorn Media Group:
“We got a lot of people, Republicans and Democrats, and Matt came to the capital, and we sat before a committee, and we talked about it. I said to Matt, ‘tell the story, just tell the story, and everybody’ll understand.’ While we’re telling the story, people up on the dais, Republicans and Democrats, signed on to the bill, and I knew then it was going to pass. So, I’m absolutely tickled beyond belief that it passed.”
Regarding what comes next, in addition to connecting and refurbishing existing restroom facilities, Scarfo noted that the county is examining locations for new bathrooms on-site as well. Note that mobile water and restroom facilities may still be brought in during larger events from time to time.
Alongside the increased convenience and sanitation during standard operations, the new plumbing will also greatly increase the fairgrounds’ viability as a local resilience hub. During a major emergency, the fairgrounds may be utilized to store emergency supplies or house displaced people and animals, something that could prove logistically challenging without adequate plumbing.
For those unfamiliar with the project, for years leading up to the 2025 legislative session, Union County had been seeking state support to fund the construction of a new, modern, water and septic system that would connect the fairgrounds to the City of La Grande’s system. As many residents are likely familiar with, the local plumbing system (including the bathrooms) failed well over a decade ago, requiring mobile water and bathroom facilities during events while a replacement plan was addressed.
During the 2025 legislative session, House Bill 5006 and Senate Bill 5531 provided $2,539,405 in lottery bond funding toward the project, with the funds officially approved in early August. With construction now underway, the Union County fairgrounds will soon be connected to the City of La Grande’s water and septic system.
Currently, the county is working with Mike Becker construction on the project. The hope is for the fairgrounds to have new plumbing and bathroom facilities ready in time for the 2026 county fair should work on the system proceed as planned.
