For longtime World Dairy Expo cattle exhibitors and attendees, going through the cattle barns at this year's show may have had a similar feel to New York Yankee fans who attended the final game at the famed Yankee Stadium before its demolition.
"Many Expo attendees can still vividly recall where their favorite cows were stalled at past shows," reminisced World Dairy Expo President Mike Holschbach. "Those were recurring comments as I talked to people, especially those in the cattle barns, throughout the week."
While those memories ran deep, so did the buzz about plans for the two new barns or pavilions as project planners are calling them. Together, they will total 290,000 square feet and should be able to house some 2,600 head. Individually, the larger pavilion will measure 200,000 square feet and the two will sit on the exact footprint of the 11 existing barns.
Proof of high exhibitor interest was easily evident at meetings held during the start of the show as World Dairy Expo building committee members and staffers unveiled building plans and showed physical features such as cattle panels, electrical hookups and water options.
Much to the delight of many exhibitors, the barns will feature a 50 percent bump in wash rack space; a state-of-the-art, positive-pressure air ventilation system; hot water access at more locations; and additional bathroom and shower facilities. In addition, there will be a new parlor located in the center of the structure along with a main aisle dedicated solely for moving people. University of Wisconsin specialists from the veterinary college, ag college, extension and state livestock officials all had input on the new design.
The two new barns will replace the collective combination of a dozen structures. Those buildings slated for demolition include nine permanent barns along with eliminating the need to erect two cattle tents and a sales pavilion each year at the show. Some of those buildings slated for demolition have stood since the very first World Dairy Expo in 1967. Once the project is completed, an estimated 600 additional parking stalls should also be freed up because temporary tents will no longer be needed.
As for a timeline, demolition will start after the Midwest Horse Fair in April 2014. If all goes well, World Dairy Expo will be the first major livestock show in the new facilities next fall. Those who live close to Madison, Wis., know the Alliant Energy Center is also home to the Dane County Fair. It is expected that some tents will have to be employed to host the 2014 fair as the construction ensues.
To fund the new project, the State of Wisconsin, Dane County, World Dairy Expo, the Midwest Horse Fair/Wisconsin Horse Council, and Centerplate all committed funds to the $20 million expansion. The state will be the largest contributor at $9 million.
And on Thursday of the world's premier dairy show, the Alliant Energy Center announced it reached an agreement with New Holland Agriculture and Construction Company on the naming rights for the new livestock buildings. As part of the deal, the complex will be known as the New Holland Pavilions at the Alliant Energy Center. According to the Wisconsin State Journal, naming rights were valued between $1.5 to $2 million. New Holland equipment will be on permanent display in the building and its equipment will be used to maintain the entire complex and grounds.
