With ceremonial groundbreaking completed Thursday adjacent to the racetrack, actual construction will begin soon on the first new buildings for the relocated Nebraska State Fair.
the Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Thursday, July 9, 2009 12:00 am
The ponies have left Grand Island's Fonner Park for the season, but the biggest race of all is just about to begin.
With ceremonial groundbreaking completed Thursday adjacent to the racetrack, actual construction will begin soon on the first new buildings for the relocated Nebraska State Fair.
Dirt work on the fair's new home started earlier this week.
But the equipment paused for about an hour Thursday while city and state officials took time out for the ceremonial groundbreaking.
Gov. Dave Heineman arrived at the celebration on a wagon pulled by one of Budweiser's teams of 10 Clydesdales.
Heineman told the crowd that moving the fair from Lincoln to Grand Island will offer a fresh start for the fair.
Heineman said the fair will be revitalized and modern after the move.
The fair's move in 2010 will clear the way for the University of Nebraska to build a high-tech research and development park on State Fair Park in Lincoln.
Sampson Construction Co. of Lincoln has the general contract to erect three large buildings on sites near Fonner Park and the Heartland Events Center. Sampson project managers have said they'll need about a year to complete the work. To be ready for the 2010 Nebraska State Fair - the first to be held outside Lincoln in more than a century - the work must be done by Aug. 1, 2010, fair officials have said.
As outlined in handouts prepared for Thursday's groundbreaking, here's what Sampson will soon have under way:
* A 70,000-square-foot exhibition building
Fair use: 4-H and FFA exhibits. Nonfair use: indoor sports courts. Designed with open floor plan to accommodate a variety of events, the building will include a concession area, storage and concrete flooring, and it will be climate-controlled. The building's exterior will be precast concrete panels with prefinished metal siding panels and brick veneer.
* A 100,000-square-foot exhibition building
Fair use: commercial and agriculture vendors. Nonfair use: conventions, trade shows, home/garden shows, recreation/sports shows. The building will offer dual food service areas, storage and concrete flooring, and it will be climate-controlled. The building's exterior will be precast concrete panels with prefinished metal siding panels and brick veneer.
* A cattle/sheep/arena building
This building is designed to provide year-round opportunities for a variety of events. Described as offering ample room and first-class amenities, "it is the premiere location for local, regional and national events."
The building's exterior will be precast concrete panels with prefinished metal siding panels and brick veneer.
Cattle section
109,076 square feet. Fair use: cattle stalls and displays. Nonfair use: livestock, horse, trade and recreation/sports shows and sales; tool, book, electronic sales. Stalling for 1,400 cattle. Attached barn bar and milking parlor. Flooring: concrete.
Sheep section
88,692 square feet. Fair use: sheep, goats, livestock. Nonfair use: livestock, horse, trade and recreation/sports shows and sales; tool, book, electronic sales. Pens for 1,600-plus animals. Attached exhibition space (small animal exhibition); attached birthing center. Flooring: concrete.
Arena section
57,390 square feet. Climate-controlled. Seating for 2,000. Configuration for full-size rodeo. Private room overlooking arena.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.