SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — With less than a month remaining before the start of the Illinois State Fair (ISF), an expansive renovation is underway at the Springfield fairgrounds. Work began in June on a historic $58 million construction project that includes building renovations, street upgrades and other infrastructure improvements. Though the project will necessitate the closure of at least one prominent building this summer, 4-H and FFA activities will be unaffected by the construction, which will continue through 2023.

“We are very excited about the investments throughout the fairgrounds. With the exception of the continued work at the Multipurpose Arena forcing its closure, no other projects should disrupt the activities of the 2022 Illinois State Fair,” said Rebecca Clark, ISF manager. 

“Every year we have thousands of 4-H youth and families travel to Springfield to participate in a state exhibit and competition events at the Illinois State Fair. We are excited to see this investment to support a continued tradition for the next generation,” said Dr. Lisa Diaz, University of Illinois Extension 4-H director. 

Many of the planned projects have been deferred for many years due to budget constraints. The capital investment is overseen by the Illinois Capital Development Board, which deemed the upgrades critical for keeping buildings sustainable and accessible for all visitors to the fairgrounds.

“For too long, our fairgrounds didn’t reflect the magic of the Illinois State Fair – so my administration is turning that ship around,” said Gov. JB Pritzker. “The $58 million in infrastructure improvements we’re bringing to the Springfield fairgrounds – as well as new funding for Du Quoin – is an investment in the Illinois families that make this celebration what it is. I’m proud to improve the fairgrounds for generations to come.”

The project is overseen by the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) and builds on investments made in 2019 to improve the facade of the Coliseum (home of the Governor’s sale of Champions and many equestrian events) along with improvements to other structures within the fairgrounds. 

“For the past three years, this administration has been committed, and continues to be committed, to improving the Illinois State Fairgrounds,” said IDOA Director Jerry Costello II. “Starting with the crown jewel, the Coliseum, and expanding across the grounds, the work that is being done today will ensure our fairgrounds will be here for many years to come.”

According to the IDOA, an $8.6 million construction project  is underway to restore and renovate the Multi-Purpose Arena (MPA). The investment will repair sidewalks, walls, steps, and expansion joints, while also improving electrical systems, readjusting the tension structure, installing a new canopy and rebuilding the retaining walls around the facility. Constructed in 2000, the Multi-Purpose Arena is a 261,000 square foot building set on six acres of the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The 261,000 square foot facility plays host to the National High School Rodeo Finals, monster truck shows, motorcycle racing, truck and tractor pulls, and demolition derby.

The project will necessitate the closure of the Multi-Purpose Arena during the 2022 ISF, meaning the ITPA truck and tractor pulls and demolition derby will be canceled until 2023. Other events, including the STEAM Expo’s Drone Racing competition, will be moved to alternate locations or postponed until construction is completed. 

A $4.1 million road improvement project began in the spring, with roads along the cattle barns, swine barn, and the Avenue of Flags undergoing repairs and resurfacing to withstand the heavy trailer traffic often used during livestock shows and vendor deliveries. Following the conclusion of the 2022 Illinois State Fair, construction will resume on the multi-phased renovation of the 122 year-old Coliseum. New construction will focus on an electrical overhaul, underground plumbing, upgraded seating, new restrooms, an elevator and the addition of an HVAC system that will allow for heating and cooling of the facility. The projected cost for this phase of Coliseum renovations is estimated at around $16.3 million.

A full slate of renovations is scheduled for fiscal year 2023, including roof replacements of the Junior Livestock Building, Sheep Barn, Hobbies Arts and Crafts Building, along with HVAC replacements on the Orr Building, Illinois Building, Junior Livestock Building, Artisans Building, Hobbies Arts and Crafts Building, Administrative Building and Grandstand. In addition, tuckpoint work in the Grandstand and other buildings, further road construction and energy improvement repairs for the Block Building are scheduled for 2023.

The renovation project is expected to re-define the purpose of the Springfield fairgrounds as a multi-use facility that will benefit residents year-round, according to Clark.

“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,” she said. “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.”