The Illinois State Fairgrounds is undergoing a number of renovation projects totaling $58.1 million. This investment could help bring more tourists and economic activity to Central Illinois.
Construction is underway to restore and renovate the Multi-purpose Arena and will include:
- Sidewalk repairs
- Repair of walls and steps
- Expansion joints
- Repairing electrical systems
- Readjusting the tension structure
- Installing a new canopy
- Rebuilding the retaining walls around the facility
The Multi-purpose Arena is a 261,000 square foot building set on six acres of the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The facility is known for hosting the National High School Rodeo Finals, monster truck shows, motorcycle racing, truck and tractor pulls and demolition derby.
Chicago Construction News reports that the arena was constructed in 2000 and badly in need of repair. The MPA construction will render the facility unusable during the 2022 Illinois State Fair.
"The work being done to improve our fairgrounds is enabling us to use the grounds for more events year-round, which helps bring in tourism for Springfield and our surrounding area. In the weeks and months ahead, the Illinois State Fair and the Illinois Department of Agriculture will be working with the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln to build a master plan for our fairgrounds that will provide the blueprint needed to 'grow' our facility usage to meet the needs of our community and further define our position as an event destination in central Illinois."
Illinois State Fair Manager | Rebecca Clark
This spring, the Department of Agriculture kicked off a $4.1 million road construction project in the heart of the fairgrounds to improve the conditions of the roads commonly used by non-fair event patrons and state fair agriculture exhibitors. The roads along the cattle barns, swine barn, and along the Avenue of Flags were repaired and resurfaced to withstand heavy trailer traffic often used during livestock shows and vendor deliveries during the fair.
At the conclusion of the 2022 Illinois State Fair, construction will resume on the multi-phased Coliseum renovation project. Phase 1 of the project was completed in 2019 and included addressing various structural problems associated with the 122 year old facility. Phase 2 will include the following:
- Electrical overhaul
- Underground plumbing
- New seating
- New restrooms
- An elevator
- Adding an HVAC system
The costs for Phase 2 of the Coliseum renovations is approximately $16.3 million. Other projects slated to take place in FY 23 include:
- $1.87 million for roof replacements on the Junior Livestock Building, Sheep Barn, Hobbies Arts and Crafts Building, and at least three barns along the backstretch.
- $11.9 million for HVAC replacements on the Orr Building, Illinois Building, Junior Livestock Building, Artisans Building, Hobbies Arts and Crafts Building, and Grandstand.
- $2.994 million for tuckpoint work in the Grandstand, Artisans, Hobbies Arts and Crafts, Emmerson and Block buildings.
- $8 million for road construction along 8th Street between the IDOA building and the IDNR building along the backstretch on the northwest corner of the fairgrounds; providing funding to make structural improvements to the south pedestrian tunnel leading into the fairgrounds from Gate 6/infield parking.
- $2.585 million for energy improvement repairs for Block Building.
- $1.7 million for roof and HVAC replacement to Illinois State Fair Administration Building.
Pantagraph News reports that the Illinois State Fair drives millions of dollars in economic activity to the city of Springfield and to Sangamon County every year.
In 2021, over 472,000 people attended the fair, making it the second-highest attended fair since the Department of Agriculture began formally tracking attendance in 2014.
DataBid is currently reporting on this project - CDB Illinois State Fairgrounds Plan & Begin Coliseum Renovation Phase 2 (0008052722)
DataBid is currently reporting on this project - CDB Illinois State Fairgrounds Repair Resurface Roadways & Sidewalks (0007060622)