Fairgrounds Redevelopment
Learn about the Fairgrounds redevelopment, share your stories and take a quick poll!
For over 100 years the Missoula County Fairgrounds has provided community connection, agricultural learning, and recreational opportunities. But now the vast 46 acres in the center of Missoula need revitalization and stewardship. Together, we can create a space for future generations to access year-round agricultural education programs like 4-H/FFA and community ice rinks. We can promote local food security while providing new opportunities for culture, fun, and relaxation. Whether it's animals, science, ice sport, or vintage markets, the vision shared by our community is for kids, families,Continue reading
Learn about the Fairgrounds redevelopment, share your stories and take a quick poll!
For over 100 years the Missoula County Fairgrounds has provided community connection, agricultural learning, and recreational opportunities. But now the vast 46 acres in the center of Missoula need revitalization and stewardship. Together, we can create a space for future generations to access year-round agricultural education programs like 4-H/FFA and community ice rinks. We can promote local food security while providing new opportunities for culture, fun, and relaxation. Whether it's animals, science, ice sport, or vintage markets, the vision shared by our community is for kids, families, and seniors to connect at the Fairgrounds through education and play.
Phase 1
- In 2016 and 2017, after a far reaching public process the Board of County Commissioners adopted a masterplan and design guidelines for Fairgrounds renovations. Five years later Phase 1 is nearly complete. Phase 1 projects total $34 million and were funded by three major sources: a special district for the Fairgrounds, the Missoula Redevelopment Agency, and substantial private fundraising.
- Completed work includes historic renovations to the Commercial, Culinary, and Home Arts buildings, new sewer and water systems, new concessions, new trail networks and plazas, and new maintenance facilities. The final hallmark of phase 1 commenced in 2021 with the groundbreaking of the new Rocky Mountain Gardens and Exploration Center, future home of the Missoula County Extension & Weed District and Missoula Butterfly House & Insectarium that will include Montana’s first tropical butterfly house and 2.5 acres of education gardens.
Phase 2b Clouse Bauer Arena
- Phase 2b will be paid for primarily with private donations and broke ground fall 2023. It includes a new Arena & Grandstands that will cost about $4 million. To contribute visit missoulafairgroundsfoundation.com
- Missoula Concrete Construction, owned by the Bauer family, donated $750,000 for concrete risers at the Fairgrounds, and in August of 2023, the County recognized this contribution by naming the arena and grandstands the "Clouse Bauer Arena.”
- The new 72,000-square-foot Clouse Bauer Arena is designed with seating for 2,500 spectators, modern audio-visual infrastructure and ample space for staging, penning and feeding stock. It will be a flexible, multi-use space that will generate revenue from a wide variety of high-energy arena spectator events, including live music and motor sports.
- The century-old Missoula Stampede Rodeo is one of the most legendary and respected rodeos on the pro circuit. Every year, the Stampede hosts some of the best contestants in the world, including many Montanans on their way to world titles.
- The Fairgrounds also entertains thousands every year as home to the University of Montana Rodeo Team, the Missoula Stampede Rodeo and other sporting traditions. Our college rodeo team enjoys prominence as one of the premier rodeo organizations in the region. Team members have appeared at the College National Finals Rodeo every year since 1990, either as individuals or as an entire team.
Phase 2a
- Funding was not secured through a general obligation bond. This phase is on hold until new funding sources are identified.
- Phase 2a is expected to begin in 2024, if funding is secured. It will include a new Livestock & Equestrian Pavilion, a new third sheet of ice, and renovations to the existing two rinks.
- Sharing the current space between Glacier Ice Rink and 4H/FFA was once a realistic strategy. But as Missoula has grown and ice sports and 4-H/FFA have expanded, the success of the programs has become restricted by limitations in time and space. Both partners are tested by an antiquated endeavor that causes operational and safety challenges for people and animals.
- The Missoula County 4-H Council and Livestock Committee along with local FFA leaders have worked with architects to design an 80,000-square-foot indoor Livestock & Equestrian Pavilion dedicated to year-round youth agricultural education. It will offer a flexible, multi-use space that will generate revenue from additional indoor arena sporting events, breed association shows, and expanded equestrian and cattle events. The project will cost $8 million.
- Meanwhile, representatives from the ice community including figure skaters, curlers, hockey enthusiasts and recreational skaters worked with an ice rink architect to develop a realistic approach to achieving their long time vision of having a third ice sheet of ice on the Fairgrounds. The new ice facility would have an NHL sized rink, gender separated locker rooms, comfortable spectator areas, increased seating for events, and more efficient refrigeration systems. This group also created a plan to rehabilitate the existing rinks to ensure they are safe and efficient. The total cost for ice in phase 2 will be about $14 million.
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Russell Street Sidewalk Upgrades
Share Russell Street Sidewalk Upgrades on Facebook Share Russell Street Sidewalk Upgrades on Twitter Share Russell Street Sidewalk Upgrades on Linkedin Email Russell Street Sidewalk Upgrades linkMissoula County has been awarded Federal Transportation Alternatives funding through the Montana Department of Transportation in order to perform upgrades to a section of sidewalk along the east side of South Russell Street along the Missoula County Fairgrounds. The sidewalk along the west side of the Fairgrounds has fallen into disrepair and poses accessibility challenges due to deteriorating concrete panels, inadequate width and utility poles located in the middle of the sidewalk. Both the Missoula County Fairgrounds Masterplan and the Midtown Masterplan as well as the Long-Range Transportation Plan call for a complete street along Russell with streetscape improvements focusing on safety and accessibility issues. A schematic design was performed in order to get a general site concept put together for a grant application. The schematic design primarily focuses on new sidewalks and landscaping including a grassy median separating the new sidewalk from Russell Street and expanded width. Other design items that will be evaluated are fencing, utility pole relocation, street lighting and emergency access routes.
A tentative timeline for the project is as follows:
- Summer 2024 – RFP issued to select design firm
- Fall 2024 – Design firm under contract
- Winter 2024 – Project design begins
- Spring 2025 – Public meeting with design update
- Fall 2025 – Project design complete
- Fall 2025 – Bid for construction services
- Spring 2026 – Construction begins
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Missoula County Renames Fairgrounds Arena and Grandstands
Share Missoula County Renames Fairgrounds Arena and Grandstands on Facebook Share Missoula County Renames Fairgrounds Arena and Grandstands on Twitter Share Missoula County Renames Fairgrounds Arena and Grandstands on Linkedin Email Missoula County Renames Fairgrounds Arena and Grandstands linkThe Missoula County Fairgrounds received a large in-kind donation of approximately $750,000 for concrete risers at the Fairgrounds from Missoula Concrete, owned by the Bauer family. To recognize this gift, the County named the arena and grandstands the "Clouse Bauer Arena" in August of 2023. The Clouse Bauer arena is expected to be built this year with private funding and revenue streams from events. It will debut at the 2024 western Montana Fair.
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Ballot Initiative for Fairgrounds General Obligation Bond to Fund Phase 2a
Share Ballot Initiative for Fairgrounds General Obligation Bond to Fund Phase 2a on Facebook Share Ballot Initiative for Fairgrounds General Obligation Bond to Fund Phase 2a on Twitter Share Ballot Initiative for Fairgrounds General Obligation Bond to Fund Phase 2a on Linkedin Email Ballot Initiative for Fairgrounds General Obligation Bond to Fund Phase 2a linkElection results from the November general election show this bond did not pass with a majority vote.Election results from the November general election show this bond did not pass with a majority vote.
The Missoula County commissioners held a public hearing Thursday, July 28, 2022 and approved putting a bond on the November 2022 ballot that would fund renovations at the Missoula County Fairgrounds. The $19 million, 20-year general obligation bond would provide revenue to:
construct an agricultural and livestock arena for 4-H, FFA and other community programs
build a third sheet of ice at Glacier Ice Rink (with $5 million in outside funding)
make site improvements and enhance green spaces
This bond would have provided public funding for Phase 2a of the Fairgrounds redevelopment project. The tax impact would have been about $7 per year for every $100,000 in assessed property value for the duration of the 20 year general obligation bond.
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Phone 406-258-3236 Email bayers@missoulacounty.us
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Timeline
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Phase 1
Fairgrounds Redevelopment has finished this stageIn 2016 and 2017, after a far reaching public process the Board of County Commissioners adopted a masterplan and design guidelines for Fairgrounds renovations. Five years later Phase 1 is nearly complete. Phase 1 projects total $34 million and were funded by three major sources: a special district for the Fairgrounds, the Missoula Redevelopment Agency, and substantial private fundraising.
Completed work includes historic renovations to the Commercial, Culinary, and Home Arts buildings, new sewer and water systems, new concessions, new trail networks and plazas, and new maintenance facilities. The final hallmark of phase 1 commenced in 2021 with the groundbreaking of the new Rocky Mountain Gardens and Exploration Center, future home of the Missoula County Extension & Weed District and Missoula Butterfly House & Insectarium that will include Montana’s first tropical butterfly house and 2.5 acres of education gardens. -
Phase 2b
Fairgrounds Redevelopment is currently at this stagePhase 2b will be paid for primarily with private donations and is expected to break ground fall 2023. It includes a new Arena & Grandstands that will cost about $4 million. To contribute visit missoulafairgroundsfoundation.com
Missoula Concrete Construction, owned by the Bauer family, donated $750,000 for concrete risers at the Fairgrounds, and in August of 2023, the County recognized this contribution by naming the arena and grandstands the "Clouse Bauer Arena.”
The new 72,000-square-foot Clouse Bauer Arena is designed with seating for 2,500 spectators, modern audio-visual infrastructure and ample space for staging, penning and feeding stock. It will be a flexible, multi-use space that will generate revenue from a wide variety of high-energy arena spectator events, including live music and motor sports.
The century-old Missoula Stampede Rodeo is one of the most legendary and respected rodeos on the pro circuit. Every year, the Stampede hosts some of the best contestants in the world, including many Montanans on their way to world titles.
The Fairgrounds also entertains thousands every year as home to the University of Montana Rodeo Team, the Missoula Stampede Rodeo and other sporting traditions. Our college rodeo team enjoys prominence as one of the premier rodeo organizations in the region. Team members have appeared at the College National Finals Rodeo every year since 1990, either as individuals or as an entire team.
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Phase 2a
this is an upcoming stage for Fairgrounds RedevelopmentFunding was not secured through a general obligation bond. This phase is on hold until new funding sources are identified.
Phase 2a is expected to begin in 2024, if funding is secured. It will include a new Livestock & Equestrian Pavilion, a new third sheet of ice, and renovations to the existing two rinks.
Sharing the current space between Glacier Ice Rink and 4H/FFA was once a realistic strategy. But as Missoula has grown and ice sports and 4-H/FFA have expanded, the success of the programs has become restricted by limitations in time and space. Both partners are tested by an antiquated endeavor that causes operational and safety challenges for people and animals.
The Missoula County 4-H Council and Livestock Committee along with local FFA leaders have worked with architects to design an 80,000-square-foot indoor Livestock & Equestrian Pavilion dedicated to year-round youth agricultural education. It will offer a flexible, multi-use space that will generate revenue from additional indoor arena sporting events, breed association shows, and expanded equestrian and cattle events. The project will cost $8 million.
Meanwhile, representatives from the ice community including figure skaters, curlers, hockey enthusiasts and recreational skaters worked with an ice rink architect to develop a realistic approach to achieving their long time vision of having a third ice sheet of ice on the Fairgrounds. The new ice facility would have an NHL sized rink, gender separated locker rooms, comfortable spectator areas, increased seating for events, and more efficient refrigeration systems. This group also created a plan to rehabilitate the existing rinks to ensure they are safe and efficient. The total cost for ice in phase 2 will be about $14 million.
