Dignitaries Announced For Coliseum Ribbon Cutting
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowGovernor Mike Pence, Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard and several other state and local officials will cut the ribbon Thursday on the renovated Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum. More than $60 million in upgrades have been ongoing at the venue since October 2012. Others expected at the ribbon cutting include Indiana State Fair Commission Chairman Andre Lacy, Fair Commission Executive Director Cindy Hoye and Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann.
A public open house is scheduled after the closed ribbon cutting event.
Naming rights for the venue have not been announced and a title sponsor has not been in place since a deal with PepsiCo Inc. (NYSE: PEP) expired at the end of 2012.
The city's newest professional sports franchise, the Indy Fuel of the ECHL, and IUPUI basketball are locked in to play at the coliseum beginning this season.
A women's symposium this Friday is the first scheduled event.
April 21, 2014
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Indiana State Fair Commission will hold a public Open House in the newly renovated Fairgrounds Coliseum this Thursday, April 24 from 3 to 7 p.m. The event and parking are both free.
Fairgrounds staff members will offer visitors insights on the construction process and new features of the building, which just underwent a $63 million renovation. Staff members of the Indy Fuel hockey team and IUPUI basketball program will also be on hand. Visitors will also be able to get details on the Coliseum Concert Series at the Indiana State Fair that will be announced that day. Tickets will be available for purchase beginning Monday, April 28.
“We couldn't be prouder of this renovation and we're excited to finally share it with the public,” State Fairgrounds Executive Director Cindy Hoye said. “We incorporated many aspects of the old Coliseum into the new building, which makes it one of the most unique facilities you will find anywhere.”
The Fairgrounds Coliseum opened in 1939 as a Works Progress Administration project. The current renovation began Oct. 29, 2012 and includes the addition of the adjoining Youth Arena, which opened last August.
About Indiana State Fairgrounds
Established in 1892, the Indiana State Fairgrounds is a modern public event facility that annually hosts more than 300 meetings, shows, sports and agriculture events, including the Indiana State Fair. The Indiana State Fairgrounds is one of Indiana’s top tourist destinations annually attracting 2 million visitors to its 250-acre campus in Indianapolis’ Midtown district and adding $124 million to the local economy. Agriculture and food production education are part of the fairgrounds’ core values. The nine-member Indiana State Fair Commission, a quasi-governmental agency, oversees year-round management of the fairgrounds, which operates in a safe and fiscally conscious manner for the benefit of all citizens of Indiana. Additional information is available at www.indianastatefair.com.
Source: Indiana State Fair Commission