State Fair Grandstand Hits the Half-way Mark

“You won’t need to bring your own chair to enjoy the concerts at the 2010 North Dakota State Fair!” was the comment provided by Jerry Iverson, Project Construction Manager, in regards to how the construction progress on the new Grandstand is moving along.

State Fair officials are excited to announce that the Grandstand is now more than 50% completed. Officials are optimistic that the Grandstand will be ready prior to July 23, the first day of the 2010 North Dakota State Fair. The new Grandstand will provide 7000 seats and over 170 toilets. It will provide handicap accessibility, more points of sale for concessions, a new pub and a larger more efficient ticket operation. The stadium is elevated to provide more than 50% greater visibility over the row in front. The improved lighting and larger-than-average seating spaces will be greatly appreciated by World of Outlaw fans, Nodak race fans and Fairgoers alike.

The great weather in November played a large role in keeping progress moving along. Also contributing to the speed of construction is that the Grandstand is being built as a "Construction Management Project." “Because the Grandstand must be complete by July 2010, we needed to take bids on the demolition and then the footings before it would be possible to have a complete set of plans ready for a general contractor bid. This gave us a two month advantage,” stated Iverson. The project now has 30 individual contracts directly with the State Fair. This has allowed the Fair to identify budget problems individually. Instead of having to rebid the entire project, Fair officials could identify the problem areas and make the necessary changes. This was especially evident when the revamped second electrical bid was $1.7M less.

The North Dakota State Fair wishes to again thank the hundreds of "Fair Friends" from all over North Dakota who made the new grandstand possible. The bright lights of the State Fair often over shadow the stories of kids, families, tourism and the promotion of agriculture. However the bright lights attract those who also learn about the true value of what our Fair does and what our citizens do. The North Dakota State Fair is a balance of bright lights, entertainment, education and the promotion of North Dakota.

The new Grandstand will indeed be a great show place for not only Minot but all of North Dakota. For more information and to view Grandstand construction photos visit http://www.ndstatefair.com/faqs/grandstand.asp The dates of the 2010 North Dakota State Fair are July 23-31, more information on the 2010 State Fair is available at http://www.ndstatefair.com/

Grand time for Grandstand!

The Grandstand constuction remains to be on schedule on going well, the Minot Daily reported last Friday. Kim Fundingsland had the scoop and the newest updates from the architect:

        The target date for completion of the new grandstand being constructed at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds in Minot is July 1, 2010, just a few weeks before the start of the State Fair.
        The latest news from the architect is that the project remains on schedule and that the recent spell of nice weather deserves a portion of the credit.
        "Things are going really well," said Brian Berg, of Zerr-Berg Architects of Fargo. "We're proceding with concrete work and should have the underground foundation wrapped up by the end of the week. We're a quarter of the way into the steel framework below the stadium plank steel. We'll be halfway by (Monday) on the steel."
        Berg said he expected weather-related delays, but the construction crews have been able to take advantage of favorable conditions and keep the building project on schedule. Similar weather conditions in Grand Forks have also proven beneficial to the grandstand project. A Grand Forks firm responsible for making the precast sections to which the seats will eventually be anchored has completed its work. All of the sections are ready for shipment to the Minot site as soon as necessary.
        "We are looking forward to setting more steel in next month, the part below the risers. Then we'll start setting the steel for the overhead canopy. Sometime in late winter the highest part will go on," said Berg.
        Barring extreme winter conditions, Berg said he expects construction to continue. Most of the exterior of the grandstand will be covered by metal panels. A good portion of the masonary work is already complete and will be finished entirely once the overhead steel is in place.
        "Everything below 14 feet is masonary," said Berg. "Once things start getting enclosed we'll be able to pour more concrete and work on the interior."
        The new grandstand will have seating for approximately 7,000 people underneath the canopy. The     old grandstand had seating for 3,200 under a partial canopy and exposed bleacher seating for an additional 2,000.
        The 2010 North Dakota State Fair runs July 23-31.

To get more news from the Minot Daily crew go to http://www.minotdailynews.com/!

Grandstand Update from the Boss

Ever since the concluding fireworks of the 2009 North Dakota State Fair, the staff and grounds have been a flurry of activity.   The salvaging of some elements and demolition of the balance of the grandstand was all finished in short order.  Driving the pilings, excavating and beginning the concrete work is all currently underway.   The North bleacher section was left intact to accommodate the Nodak Racing schedule, which closed out the season with races as part of the  Labor Day weekend Motor Magic event.

The bids for the third bid group are being opened on September 10, 2009.   This being the biggest of the bid groups for the grandstand project will provide a great measure for keeping the project on budget.   The grandstand will include 7,082 seats under a roof with 8,000  general admission standing between the grandstand and stage.   The grandstand will feature some 180 toilet fixtures, 22,000 sq ft of spacious concourses, concession areas, and an upscale  pub area with an indoor/outdoor capacity of 450.   The state fair board recently named the new pub “The Carousel”.   The Carousel, along with the restrooms that service it will be heated and air-conditioned for year round use. 

The grand opening will be Friday July 23, 2010.  The entertainment lineup for the grandstand’s inaugural season is currently being negotiated, and I assure you it will be worthy of this great addition to your State Fair.

- Bob Wagoner, NDSF General Manager

It's Official - A New Grandstand is on the Way!

On Friday afternoon Governor Hoeven visited the Grandstand to sign the legislation allocating $15 million for the construction of a new North Dakota State Fair Grandstand. The current Grandstand was constructed in 1955 and has long needed to be replaced. The Grandstand was full of cheers and smiles as Hoeven signed the legislation. Senator Krebsbach, a huge proponent of the Grandstand helped make the funding a reality. A State Fair Grandstand committee will meet with the architects on Tuesday to begin the planning phases of this project. Demolition of the current Grandstand will take place after Labor Day weekend. The new Grandstand should be ready by July 23, 2010, just in time for the Fair!

The State Fair Needs Your Help!

On Friday morning the North Dakota State Fair will be testifying at the Senate Appropriations Committee in Bismarck. Governor Hoeven has included $17 million in his budget for a new grandstand, the State Fair is testifying to keep this full amount in the budget. But the Fair still needs your help! Please contact your legislator and encourage them to keep the Grandstand in the budget. You can find your legislators information by clicking here or call 701-328-2916 to leave a message for your legislator telling him or her to Keep the Grandstand's $17 million in the Budget! Contact our office at 852-FAIR with any questions. The picture on the top is of the current Grandstand in 1959! It's definitely time for a new one!

Keith Anderson

Did I mention that while in Vegas, our staff got to meet country music artist, Keith Anderson? He played guitar while singing Pickin' Wildflowers and Lost in this Moment. It pretty much rocked!

ND State Fair Gift Certificates Now Available!

You've been asking for it and now gift certificates for the North Dakota State Fair are available! Gift certificates can be purchased in any dollar amount and can only be used for the purchase of advanced Mega Ride, Grandstand Showpass, Family Fun Pack and gate admission tickets prior to July 1st. Gift certificates can be purchased throughout the year at the ND State Fair Office in Minot, or over the phone by calling 701-852-FAIR.