FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — Facing steep costs to replace shifting roof poles, the Fort Fairfield Town Council has decided to have the town-owned Farm Park Pavilion demolished.
The town was facing repair costs in the “tens of thousands” of dollars to fix roof problems first noticed in September, according to town manager Jim Risner.
“The major problem is the poles that some of the roof beams are on; the beams have shifted off the pole,” Risner said. “A lot of the poles, the beams are halfway off the pole. The structure has shifted.”
The roof of the pole barn at Fort Fairfield’s Farm Park Pavilion was in need of repairs that would run in the tens of thousands of dollars. Many of the structure’s roof beams have shifted off of their poles. (Courtesy of Town of Fort Fairfield)
A structural analysis by B.R. Smith Associates concluded that the facility should not be occupied until the problems are fixed, Risner said.
The Farm Park’s 7,000-square-foot pavilion, located on the West Limestone Road, was built by the Fort Fairfield Chamber of Commerce in 2006 and acquired by the town in 2009. The site is home to a range of events each year, including wedding and other private functions, the County Bluegrass Festival and the Maine Potato Board’s annual industry dinner.
Risner said the council decided to have the pavilion demolished because it generates only about $2,000 a year for the town, while the costs would have taken years to pay off based on that rental income.
While the structure will be removed, the Farm Park property will still be open to events, Risner said.
