(KTTS News) — A groundbreaking ceremony will be held Thursday for a new building at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds and Events Center.

Press Release

The Ozark Empire Fairgrounds and Event Center (OEFEC) welcomes the community to join in a groundbreaking ceremony for its new $25 million dollar Arena and Youth Ag Education Center at the fairgrounds, on November 17, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. 

The new Arena and Youth Ag Education Center will serve the community as an entertainment venue, event site, and educational facility.

The 99,000-square-foot arena will include seating for 6,600 visitors, which is triple the seating capacity of OEFEC’s former facility.

The new arena will also feature a restaurant and a VIP room on the upper mezzanine.

The lower-level will contain a 10,000-square-foot Youth Ag Education Center and a 10,000-square-foot trade show space.

The project comes to fruition due to the vision, fundraising, and dedication of OEFEC’s general manager, staff, board members, and supporters.

“This new arena, coupled with other construction and improvements in recent years, will solidify our position as one of the finest entertainment venues in not only the Springfield area, but the entire Midwest,” OEFEC General Manager Aaron Owen, stated. “It will be perfect for fair use, rodeos, horse shows and junior national livestock expositions, tradeshows, motorsports, sporting events, and concerts.”

A variety of individuals and government entities pledged financial support for the construction of the project.

Once completed, the Arena and Youth Ag Education Center will rise as one of the region’s top destinations and make a positive impact on the local economy.

OEFEC’s roots trace back to 1937 when a group of community leaders dreamed of developing 76 acres of rolling hills, nestled between Grant Avenue and Norton Road, into fairgrounds.

Through the years the fairgrounds has grown into a year-round entertainment, education, and event venue; hosting more than 600,000 visitors each year.