SIOUX CITY | The long-proposed construction of an ag expo center in Woodbury County is slated to begin this year and open next year, following what has been at least a decade of planning.
Construction on the Bomgaars Ag Expo Center, a more than 200,000-square-foot agricultural and recreation facility, is expected to begin during the first half of the year at the former site of the Sioux City John Morrell plant. If all goes according to schedule, it could open by the end of 2019. Â
The $16 million venue, which received a $650,000 naming gift from Bomgaars, has undergone a series of changes over the past year that have widened the proposed usage of the facility to include recreational and sporting events along with the equestrian and livestock events. Â
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The ag center will have a 45,000-square-foot main arena with approximately 2,000 seats, a warm-up arena and additional exhibit space. The large space will also allow for removable indoor turf and sport courts to be used for recreation purposes such as sports practices, games, tournaments and camps.
The above rendering of the planned Bomgaars Ag Expo Center shows the view of the arena from the bleachers. The main arena is expected to contain approximately 2,000 seats.Â
The venue will be capable of accommodating six basketball courts, 12 volleyball courts, three smaller turfed fields or one large turfed field that is near regulation soccer size.Â
It will also include space for Western Iowa Tech Community College to hold veterinary classes.
City staff expect the arena would be used for recreational activities, such as youth sports tournaments, from October to March or April, and for equestrian and agricultural events during the remaining months of the year. The venue also would be available to hold trade shows, such as the Siouxland Home Show, throughout the year.
The above rendering, prepared by M-Plus Architects, shows a view of the interior of the expo center set up as a horse pen. The project is expected to break ground later this year.Â
A new sports complex called The Arena is expected to be built next door to the Ag Center. Completion of that project is also slated for 2019.Â
Sioux City's Parks and Recreation Department will handle day-to-day management at the venue, while the venue will be owned by the Siouxland Expo Center Board. The venue is expected to eventually house the Parks and Recreation Department offices, and the department will hire a new staff person to coordinate equestrian and agricultural events.Â
The future Bomgaars Ag Expo Center will be capable of holding a variety of ag-related events, trade shows and sporting events. The above rendering shows the interior of the main arena outfitted with removable turf and goals for soccer games.Â
An advisory board that will include representatives of the Siouxland Expo Center board and the Western Iowa Tech Community College Board of Trustees also would assist with management and operation of the venue.
The ag center is funded through private donations and state funding, as well as significant contributions from Sioux City and Woodbury County.Â
