New offer could revitalize Exopland

At the epicenter of Fishersville, we find ourselves at a crossroads. Can we stand by and watch the only community property in Fishersville disappear? The Augusta Expoland Board sold 20 acres that runs parallel to their entrance road in 2006 for more than $700,000. The same year, Augusta County gave Expo $50,000 of financial help. How does a board take an organization that was started with $75,000 and turn it into what appears to be approximately $1 million in debt? This board has sold off property, received taxpayer money from the county and still has debt that is inconceivable. The Expo board now has made a decision to cut off another 30-acre parcel on the opposite side of their entrance road to James River Equipment. It was confirmed with the planning commission that this can land-lock Expo’s property.
It was confirmed that the Expo board asked the county to buy Expoland several years ago. The county looked over the board’s proposal and turned it down. County officials recognized the financial need Expo had and also recognized the need for the Augusta County families and cared enough to approve the motocross sports park for all of us. The owners of Valley Xtreme Sports Park are publicly making an offer to assume all of the financial responsibility of Expo. At a planning meeting for our area, it was decided that the majority of the residents want a place for alternative sports and a public entertainment facility for their families. The Valley Xtreme Sports Park will present to the county and the Expo board a plan for Expo in its entirety. This plan will provide 30 to 40 brand new jobs and a tax base the county has never had before. These taxes can help go to the expansion for the bridge on Route 608. This plan will also allow the community the ability to own a piece of this property that was intended to always be here for our community. This property can be salvaged and made into something great for today’s families and your children’s families. I have nothing against the current board other than the proven record of getting rid of everything that has made Expo good revenue. They even kicked out the fair in 1992, but some concerned individuals got it back in 1995.
If Expo board members care for the families and children of this community, then they should love this offer. The ability to save all of the land and provide for everyone in the community is a dream come true for Fishersville. Valley Xtreme Sports Park has that ability and is making this offer immediately in order to protect this community hub for today’s families, as well as the 17,000 estimated to be here in the next 15 years.
You can help make this happen by making your voice heard. This plan will bring in ballfields, basketball courts, a pavilion, amphitheater, sports training complex and a restaurant, as well as salvage everything that currently exists. This will also save the original plan supported and approved by our county officials. Best of all, you and your family will have the ability to own part of it to make sure it is always here for our future generations.
Terry Argenbright
Waynesboro
Note: Argenbright and his brother Doug proposed a motocross track at Expoland that earlier this year was approved by the county planning commission but rejected by the Expo board.