Grand Island, Neb. — Longtime Fonner Park general manager Hugh Miner Jr. passed away last Friday after a lengthy illness.
Hugh was the leader of Fonner Park for four decades, beginning in 1982.
His predecessor, Al Swihart Jr., provided the bedrock for Hugh to build the foundation of a remarkable campus constructed with careful consideration for the needs of Fonner Park, Grand Island and Central Nebraska.
Hugh Miner Jr. is responsible for the creation of the Turf Club seating area in the racetrack grandstand, the introduction of Fonner Keno and the establishment of the Finish Line Lounge.
He paved the way for the construction of the current racing office and in 1991 built the general office building known as the Hugh Miner Jr. Administrative Offices, located above the 4-H Café.
Hugh was also a leading force in the development and operations of the Heartland Events Center. He was an advocate of the Hall County Fair and Nebraska 4-H Horse Show and was CEO when the Nebraska State Fair built their facilities on the Fonner Park land and began state fair operations in 2010.
Hugh retired as CEO in 2015 after 45 years of service. He was succeeded by his longtime assistant, Bruce Swihart.
An open visitation has been scheduled at All Faiths Funeral Home in Grand Island on Monday, October 14, from 5:00 – 7:00 PM. On Tuesday, October 15, a memorial service has been scheduled for 11:00 AM at the Bosselman Conference Center located at The Heartland Events Center at Fonner Park.
