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DuPage chairman candidates debate the fairgrounds

A candidate for DuPage County Board chairman is suggesting one way the county fairgrounds could expand without moving the DuPage County Fair.

But Robert Peickert's opponent in next week's election - incumbent Dan Cronin - says Peickert's idea for the fairgrounds falls flat because it involves using the 42-acre site in Wheaton as an outdoor concert venue.

The future of the fairgrounds has become an issue in the chairman's race because a real estate task force is working to determine if the county fair is the best use for the property along Manchester Road.

By the end of the year, the advisory panel is expected to recommend whether the county, which owns the site next to the government complex, should continue leasing the fairgrounds to the DuPage County Fair Association, the nonprofit entity that organizes and runs the annual fair.

Peickert says he believes it's possible to find another use for the fairgrounds while keeping the fair at that location.

The Elmhurst Democrat is suggesting the county consider the possibility of transforming the site into a "Ravinia West" with a band shell for concerts and other performances.

"That's one thing we could do that would maintain the fairgrounds for the county fair and also expand it to become an income producing property," Peickert said. "It also would create more jobs. I think it's something to explore."

However, Cronin said the county already is trying to help the Chicago Symphony Orchestra build an outdoor concert venue in Naperville.

"We have been immersed in discussions and negotiations about the same concept that he (Peickert) was alluding to," said Cronin, adding he doesn't believe the fairgrounds is a location the CSO would even consider.

The Elmhurst Republican said he's waiting for the real estate task force's recommendation before weighing in on what should happen to the fairgrounds.

"Is that (the county fair) the best use?" he said. "We're going through that examination right now. I don't know what the conclusion will be because there's a process."

The fairgrounds site is being leased to the fair association at a rate of $1,375 annually as part of a deal that expires in 2020.

Cronin stressed that officials aren't looking to simply sell the land and develop it. He said the review is being done to determine whether the site - which is an asset that belongs to the taxpayers - is being used to the maximum benefit of the community.

"Maybe it (the best use) is the county fair," Cronin said. "Maybe things stay as they've always been. Maybe there's some other use that would be appropriate and would further advance the mission of the county."

No matter what happens to the fairgrounds in the future, Cronin said he's committed to the fair.

"I believe in the fair," he said. "As long as I'm here, I will always work to make sure we have a county fair."

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