(La Porte County, IN) - There’s a chance of not having to use portable toilets during the La Porte County Fair this year.

 

An effort is being made to have a permanent restroom facility constructed before the fair opens on July 8th.

 

Mark Parkman, a member of the fair board, received permission from the La Porte County Commissioners Wednesday to start the process for trying to speed up the start of construction.

 

Parkman, who lives near Westville, said drawings for the restroom facility are nearly completed and while the drawings are being considered for final approval, he suggested taking steps now to have the money approved.

 

Construction could begin right away once the state gives the green light to the drawings if funding for the work is already in place.

 

Parkman will go before the La Porte County Council to seek approval for the funding.

 

Portable toilets have been used since the old restroom facility badly in need of repairs was removed three-years ago.  No formal cost estimates have been obtained but a new permanent bathroom facility might take upwards of $300,000 to build.

 

“We’re trying to promote the fairgrounds and make it more user friendly all year long and so a bathroom back there that’s all season is pretty necessary,” he said.

 

La Porte County Commissioner Connie Gramarossa also suggested pursuing bids for the project as quickly as possible.

 

She also requested the final drawings include a few more stalls in the women’s side of the restroom structure to reduce waiting times.

 

“It would be greatly appreciated,” she said.

 

Parkman said having the new restroom constructed and ready to use before the fair is no guarantee even if everything goes right in the process.  If not, he said at least it will be ready for other events at the fairgrounds later in the year.