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Turf infield likely for JoCo's racetrack Monday Dec 5, 2016 at 12:01 AM By Shaun Hall of the Daily Courier On second thought, the Dutch Bros. proposal to build an artificial turf sports field at the Josephine County Fairgrounds still looks just fine. More than fine. "It's just fantastic," Josephine County Commissioner Keith Heck said last week, following a closed-door session with company representatives. "This is a godsend. A joy." The joy is a proposal by Travis Boersma, co-founder and president of the coffee empire with its roots in Grants Pass. It would include at least one field in the infield of the fairgrounds racetrack. Other fields might follow. Commissioners, who previously gave an unofficial nod to the project, have directed staff to move forward on the proposal. The Josephine County Fair Board previously endorsed the idea. The field, similar to fields at Grants Pass and Hidden Valley high schools, could be in use as soon as next summer, Fairgrounds Manager Peggy Anderson said. "We're really excited," Anderson said. "I'm excited for our community. We're very excited to be in a partnership with Dutch Bros. It's a big deal." Planning and lease arrangements are to follow. A major part of the deal would be a $50,000 annual payment by the company, giving it use rights to the field and grandstands, plus naming rights and sponsor benefits, according to Anderson. In large part, the company would control use of the field and grandstands. "They will be taking control except during certain chunks of time," Anderson said. Boersma also has proposed renovating grandstand restrooms. The project would displace the popular Tuff Trucks event held during the annual county fair, but Anderson said that event could be moved indoors to the horse arena. Rodeo and motorcycle shows also held during the fair still could be held on the racetrack that encircles the new field. Boersma is a big soccer fan, but the field would not accommodate just soccer. Softball and football games could be played there, too. Boersma actually played high school football there on a grass field in the late 1980s when the field was shared by North Valley and Hidden Valley high schools. Boersma is a big horse racing fan, too. Fair Board Chairman Dan Shepard has said potential conflicts with horse racing could be worked out. The field would fit well with other youth-oriented activities nearby, at the YMCA and BMX race track. The move by Dutch Bros. comes at it prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2017. Boersma and his brother, Dane, founded the company in 1992 in Grants Pass. Dane passed away in 2009. The company now has more than 270 franchises in seven western states.