PORT ANGELES — Support for a covered events arena at Clallam County Fairgrounds is growing, and county commissioners threw in their hat during a Monday work session.

Besides the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Clallam County Economic Development Council, 4-H, equestrian and cattle organizations, and other “show” people have voiced their approval for the Fair Board’s proposal, the board’s leader said.

“Those are the people that basically build those events,” said Carol Johnson, an equestrienne and Fair Board president.

Proposed is metal facility 150 feet wide and 300 feet long that would stand 20 feet high at the eaves and basically cover the fairground’s east side horse arena.

The cost is estimated at least $750,000.

“The larger the facility it will have more flexibility” for dog rings for kennel show events and other shows, Johnson said.

Johnson was confident that with volunteer help the covered arena could be built for less than $1 million. She said the 4-H program represents a potential volunteer force of 1,200 members.

Johnson was joined at the commissioners’ meeting by Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Russ Veenema, who said a covered arena would lure visitors who spend an average $110 a day while in town.