Alliant Energy Center plans $18 million upgrade

An $18 million facelift for aging barn facilities at the Alliant Energy Center may soon get underway, according to Dane County Executive Joe Parisi, after the county’s Personnel and Finance and Public Works and Transportation committees passed a resolution authorizing the county to award Strang, Inc. a $745,000 architecture and engineering contract. The current barns would be demolished and replaced by modern, multi-use agriculture and exhibition pavilions.

The state Legislature is currently considering a budget proposal to finance half the project’s cost. Should approvals proceed, the new pavilions may help secure events such as the World Dairy Expo and Midwest Horse Fair for years to come.