Fairgrounds to Debut Youth Arena
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA $10 million multi-purpose facility is set to be unveiled Friday at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. The Youth Arena will house livestock, draft horse and 4-H color guard shows and is part of the Fairgrounds Coliseum's $53 million renovation. July 29, 2013
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. When the Great Indiana State Fair opens Aug. 2, it will unveil a brand new multi-purpose facility that is a key component to the massive $53 million Fairgrounds Coliseum renovation that began last October. The 30,000 sq. ft. Youth Arena debuts by hosting the 4-H Horse & Pony contesting classes and will then be the site of many other significant events and competitions throughout the fair’s 17-day run.
The Youth Arena's stylish exterior includes tinted glass and Indiana limestone. Inside, it has an arena floor comparable to the Coliseum's with easy access for people and livestock. In addition to 4-H Horse & Pony, the building will also host the 4-H Color Guard, livestock shows, Draft Horse competitions and several other events. A brief video of the completed project can be seen at http://bit.ly/13pmys4.
“This project hasn't received nearly the attention that the Coliseum has, but it is just as vital to our operation,” State Fairgrounds Executive Director Cindy Hoye said. “Not only will this be a great venue for a lot of important fair events, but it’s going to be an outstanding facility for many year-round activities, especially our public skating and youth hockey programs.”
The Youth Arena is located in the space previously occupied by the Outdoor Arena between the Coliseum and the South Pavilion. The Youth Arena, however, is an enclosed, climate controlled facility that now joins all three venues together. The building will be officially dedicated during the fair Aug. 10 at 5 p.m.
When the Coliseum renovation is complete in 2014, it will return to hosting many of the events that will be in the Youth Arena this year. It will also become the new site for the fair's headline concert series.
Coliseum Tours
State Fair visitors will be able to see the construction progress on the Coliseum as the Indiana State Fair Foundation hosts daily tours of the 74 year-old venue from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout the fair's 17-day run. Fairgoers may enter the Coliseum's east side and take the quick trip across the floor before exiting through its west doors.
When inside, people will notice the incredible amount of natural light that now enters the building due to the restoration of thousands of block windows on each side of the building. They will also get a feel for the intimacy of the building with the upper and lower seating decks already in place.
Kansas City-based Populous, with locally based Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf, is the design firm responsible for the project's architecture and engineering. The company has completed hundreds of high profile arenas and stadiums around the world. Hunt Construction Group of Indianapolis is the construction manager on the project. They also oversaw the construction of local landmarks like Lucas Oil Stadium and the downtown Convention Center.
About Indiana State Fair
The Indiana State Fair is the state's largest multi-day event celebrating Hoosiers' spirit and agricultural heritage. Nationally recognized for offering great entertainment, showcasing youth, interactive agriculture education programs, premiere facilities and a variety of unique, fun foods, the Indiana State Fair has been an annual tradition for generations of Hoosiers since 1852. The 2013 fair boasts “Fun at Every Turn” and is celebrating the “Year of Popcorn” presented by Weaver Popcorn Company. For more information, please visit www.indianastatefair.com.
Source: Indiana State Fair