Dog show organizers make $10,000 donation to Sheep Barn’s remodeling

The Peninsula Dog Fancier’s Club (PDFC) made a $10,000 contribution to the Kitsap County Department of Parks and Recreation for the resurfacing of the Fairgrounds’ Sheep Barn.

Five young members of the club presented the check last week to the Kitsap County commissioners.

The building currently has a dirt floor and resurfacing is one aspect of a renovation project that also will fix the structure’s leaky roof and install a heating system.

These improvements will make the facility suitable for year-round use, such as batting practice in the baseball offseason.

In return for the gift, the PDFC will not be charged to use the facilities for its annual dog show that usually takes place the last weekend in March.

The funds originated from parking and registration fees assessed during the club’s event.

Club representative Dave Hussey said the parking generated around $40,000. With 1,700 to 1,800 dogs entered, Hussey estimates the weekend infuses between $100,000 and $200,000 in revenue to the county.

Dog owners pay an entry fee, but the dogs earn non-cash awards, such as ribbons. The event’s largest expense is $20,000 for judges.

Since admission is free, the county has no accurate attendance figures, although the dog show is estimated to be the Fairgrounds’ third-largest attended event. The 10,000-square-foot Sheep Barn is only one of the buildings at the Fairgrounds used to host the show.

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