The Indiana State Fair Foundation announced the completion of the Coliseum Campaign after raising $10 million towards the $53 million renovation to the Indiana Farmers Coliseum and the $10 million addition of the Pop Weaver Youth Pavilion and Cheri Daniels Arena. This campaign marks the inaugural fundraising effort for the Indiana State Fair Foundation that was founded in 2011.
Hundreds of donors from across the state contributed to the Coliseum Campaign, with the top ten donors contributing more than 90% of the $10.1 million raised.
The Indiana Farmers Coliseum renovation was completed in 2014 and marked the largest capital improvement project at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center and cemented the organizations commitment to preserving and enhancing 75 years’ worth of history for the next generation of Hoosiers.
“When we made the commitment to the state that we would embark on something new for the Indiana State Fair Commission by raising $10 million from private citizens and companies to support the renovation of the Indiana Farmers Coliseum and the construction of the Pop Weaver Youth Pavilion with its Cheri Daniels Arena, we knew it wouldn’t be easy. We knew that riding on the coattails of the long Indianapolis and Central Indiana tradition of public/private partnership was the only way we would get it done,” said Andre Lacy, Chairman of the Indiana State Fair Commission. “We knew that Hoosiers all across this state have a connection to this Fair and this Coliseum,” he added.
The Indiana State Fair Foundation’s mission is to support agriculture education, youth development and campus stewardship of the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center and the annual Indiana State Fair. The foundations philanthropic efforts are focused in three key areas—preservation and enhancement of the facilities and infrastructure, youth education through The Barns Global Learning Initiative, and recognition of youth participating at the Indiana State Fair.
Pictured:
Andre Lacy, Chairman Indiana State Fair Commission
Tate Fritchley, 2016 Indiana State Fair Queen
Danny Houston, North American Midway Entertainment
SOURCE: Indiana State Fair Commission