Cool idea: Horse arena, hotels and new convention center would all be climate controlled
AgriCenter CEO Jerry Sinift has been CEO of the world’s largest farm show for 25 years and says it has always been a dream to expand the 700-acre Tulare AgriCenter grounds that already attract a surprising number of venues throughout the year. To do that you have to cool down the enclosed spaces when you plan new facilities.
“”When you have heat like this” you need to air condition buildings in order to attract business through the summer months beyond the famous February World Ag Expo.This weekend the temperature in Tulare is expected to be a torrid 107f.
To become a world-class destination for all kinds of events you have to put people in something besides giant circus tents. How about adding a comfortable hotel and high end restaurant?
This week AgriCenter officials met with the City of Tulare to present their new master plan for the grounds that includes millions of dollars of new facilities, annexation of more land, a new 120,000sf convention center, major hotels and restaurants and a top wish- a new equestrian center – all at the foot of a new freeway interchange.
Instead of being just a dream, the timetable to build these facilities is already ticking – given that the new interchange named the International Agri Center Interchange is planned to be completed next year – in 2025. This interchange is estimated to cost nearly $53 million and will include both north and southbound ramps, an overcrossing of SH 99 and new or improved intersections with Blackstone and Paige.
It will be connected to a new 4-lane street called International Agri-Center Way under a master plan that accommodates new development, laying out where they can build new facilities and how they will be connected to needed infrastructure. Today the center is adjacent to Highway 99 but access is not near. The new interchange will make a huge difference.
“We need a conditional use permit from the city to move the project forward,” says Sinift, having just signed an agreement to build a connecting road in the past few weeks.
“When fully coordinated, these components will allow for efficient private investments, the proper sequencing of public works projects and the prioritization of Agri-Center resources,” says a report.
“We are having discussions with developers, adjacent property owners and organizations” who are all interested in how they may fit into the picture, says Sinift.
Because the freeway construction project is moving forward quickly,the new master plan sets out some ambitious timetables to start improvements.
Moving beyond tents at the TulareAgriCenter
Equestrian Center
The AgriCenter may be where farm equipment is marketed but it is also where farm animals are celebrated, everything from cowboy heroes to FAA youth showing their young farm calves,pigs and sheep. But horses will take the spotlight under the new plan.
While many people know only that the AgriCenter is a place for the February World Ag Expo featuring the latest technology and equipment used for farming. But there are hundreds of events during the year including this August when the California Youth Ag Expo comes to town with over 2000 animals that will be shown by youth and attended by approximately 3000 people, Sinift says. There are about 300 events a year at the AgriCenter, not just ag events either but concerts and meetings that all could benefit from the improved facilities, including the planned high-end hotel and restaurants.
One of the first major projects is construction of a first class Equestrian Center (Arena A) that will be an air-conditioned complex with 7000 permanent seats and 3000 temporary seats.The arena will be able to support both equestrian and cattle events as well as indoor concerts and meetingsThe complex will include an event office with overall square footage at 350,000 sf.The new arena will also include barn space for up to 500 horses. Also a full service 50000sf restaurant will be developed within the Equestrian Center.
Construction of Arena A is projected to be completed in 2025, says the report. Arena B will be the second phase of the Equestrian Center and will provide for a second arena with no seating.
A major focus of the Agr Center is to improve the equestrian facilities on the property that already attract up to 500 for horses at some events and some 20 competitive horse events including barrel racing. A goal of the equestrian improvements at the Agri Center is to attract the Professional Bull Riders group who do not have a West Coast facility, but could utilize Tulare once this first class facility is built,figuring if you build it, they will come.
A new Convention Center will be constructed with approximately 120,000 square feet. It will include an exhibition hall, meeting rooms and kitchen facilities. The facility will be planned to house trade shows, conferences, conventions, meetings, concerts and will provide additional space
during the World Ag Expo. It will also replace the existing Pavilion A, Pavilion B and the Social Hall. It is anticipated that the capacity of the facility will be approximately 10,000 attendees.The Convention Center will be second priority in the Agri-Center development program. It might be tied to the first hotel, but will be subject to the issuance of a request for proposals from a partner developer. It is anticipated that this facility will also be a joint venture project with a
private developer with construction completed in 2027.
Hotels are planned as part of the Convention Center Complex. Currently, 2 hotels at 400 rooms each are planned for the Agri-Center site. The location of the hotels is
integrated into the Convention Center facility to provide up to 800 rooms in support of the facility.
Other improvements
-Solar Farm will be deployed as both rooftop solar and parking shade structure solar.
–Recreational Vehicle Park will be developed as a key support feature of the campus. Featuring 300 stalls intended to provide on-campus service for the
Equestrian Center, the Agri-Center and on-campus events.
–Cattle pens will be constructed with approximately 40,000 square feet of covered space. These pens will be located adjacent to but south of the Arenas. This location will minimize
the interface with the residential neighborhood north of International Agri Center Way. The pens will include pens/corrals, chutes and care facilities along with
connectors to the arenas.