Outdoors Area Comes Back to Life After Flood | Video

Jessica Roose | 7/27/2012

The State Fair wraps up tomorrow night. If you`ve been there this year, you may have noticed some changes at the Game and Fish Wildlife Conservation and Outdoor Skills park. It was destroyed in last summer`s flood and workers finished remodeling just in time for the big opening.

It doesn`t look like it now but last year this area of the fair was under a considerable amount of water.

"It was nose deep in June, so yea a lot of work went back into getting it right and we did start with an open slate. So those people that want a bigger kitchen thats kinda what we did. We made it bigger and better and really spruced things up," said outreach biologist Greg Gullickson.

It wasn`t easy, in fact the whole area was closed up until the fair opened last week.

"The biggest hurdle that the fair had figured out before we did was growing grass. That was one thing that was a challenge," Gullickson said.

Even the challenges were worth it in the end. They now have more space and were able to expand the dock and fishing areas.

Tony Aman and his wife have been volunteering with Game and Fish since 1990, and he said while the remodel is great they are just glad to be back, helping kids with their fishing techniques.

"Last year we kinda missed it. They called it off at the last minute and now what are we going to do at the end of July? We missed.. and enjoy coming and volunteering."

The grand re-opening seems to be a hit and fairgoers are enjoying exploring all the new activities the area has to offer this year.

"Fishing looks like fun. We`re going to go check that out and there`s a new rap trailer we`re going to go check out. We`ve heard they expanded it here and added some things so we`re excited to see what`s new," said fairgoer Shelby Deckert.

So if you are at the fair this weekend stop by, you might get hooked on what they have to offer.

The area is open from 1:00 to 7:00 each day during the fair and admission is free.

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