DEVON, Pa.--A multi year project will result in more than doubling the amount of parking available across from the main entrance to the show grounds.
The Devon Horse Show & Country Fair Foundation’s Board voted unanimously to pursue a new parking facility that will be located on a portion of its main parking lot across from the main entrance to the show and the old gas station along Route 30.
The project will be designed to relieve parking and congestion and will result in the redevelopment of the old, abandoned gas station which the foundation owns.
“The ongoing concerns of the community and the horse show over the need to revitalize the gas station, as well as the lack of parking, has been the stimulus for this effort," said Wayne W. Grafton, Chairman and CEO of the 123-year-old organization. "As we look forward to the future of the community and the long-term viability of the Horse Show and Country Fair, this project, aside from being appropriate, reinforces the organization’s commitment to our special grounds.”
"THIS IS A multi-year project," said Grafton. "We have to get an architect and a builder. TheRe's things like planning for storm water. After we get the plans finalized, we need to get township approval. whicH is a 10 to 18 month process. Then it will take six months to build. So we're looking at two to three years before it's done."
"When it's finished, it will hold 411 cars," said Grafton.
Devon didn't hold the Fall Classic this year.
"Ever since the Gold Cup pulled out of Devon, the Fall Classic has been marginally profitable, if profitable at all," said Grafton. "We have reserved the dates for next year, and we're bringing something back. We're not sure what it's going to be, but we're going to hold some sort of event. We should know more within the next 30 days."