Aug 1, 2022

A New Arena and Youth Ag Education Center coming to the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds

BRP Architects collaborated with the Ozark Empire Fair Foundation on the design of a new Arena and Youth Ag Education Center for the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds. The client’s goal of the project is to create a larger arena to be used for a variety of community events. This project is Phase II of the foundation’s three-phase campaign, Grounded in Tradition, Growing our Future, which is dedicated to “providing a brighter future for our children, our community, and our economy. Grounded in the traditions of honoring our agricultural heritage, educating our youth, and serving as a gathering place for all.”

The 97,000-square-foot arena features an increased seating capacity from 2,800 to 6,300. It will have retractable lower-level seating allowing for larger events on the arena floor, concessions, a 45,000 square-foot mezzanine, and will house the Youth Ag Education Center in the building’s 24,300 square-foot lower level. The arena will hold several diverse events such as archery, wrestling, volleyball, and cheerleading competitions, as well as trade shows, indoor festivals, livestock shows, motocross, roller derbies, and rodeos. The Youth Ag Education Center will serve as a place for educating youth on all aspects of agriculture. Construction on the arena is expected to start this fall with a substantial completion date set for the Summer of 2024.