Special Report

The New Holland Pavilions become reality

Alliant Energy Center Executive Director Mark Clarke at the podium just before the ribbon is cut

Alliant Energy Center Executive Director Mark Clarke at the podium just before the ribbon is cut

 

Tuesday was the culmination of a lot of dreams, ideas, challenges and successes at World Dairy Expo as they cut the ribbon on the new $24.9 million New Holland Pavilions.  With more than 290,000 square feet under roof, the two buildings offer not only state-of-the art housing for some 2,600 dairy cattle at this show, but horses for the Midwest Horse Fair and almost unlimited potential for other uses.  The whole thing started a few years ago when World Dairy Expo was facing a decision as to whether to remain at the Alliant Energy Center.  That thought process led to cooperation among WDE, the Midwest Horse Fair, Dane County, the State of Wisconsin, BouMatic, New Holland and others leading to this day.

A couple of years ago, Mark Clarke decided to leave his job as Executive Director of World Dairy Expo to become Executive Director of the Alliant Energy Center.  His main objective was to oversee the construction of these buildings.  “It’s really gratifying, so many people came together to make this happen!”  Clarke says coming from World Dairy Expo, it gave him a better perspective on what should be included in the buildings.  The additions give him a campus that features some massive facilities with exceptional versatility.  He says they are getting inquiries from other events and have already signed a contract to host the National Junior Hereford Show in 2016.  Clarke talks about the process:

Holschbach

 

World Dairy Expo Chairman Mike Holschbach can’t say enough about the cooperative effort that went into this structure and gives special credit to Wisconsin Agriculture Secretary Ben Brancel.  “It was the right thing to do not only for Dane County but the State of Wisconsin.”  Holschbach has attended every World Dairy Expo and says he thinks about the founders who put this show together often and believes they would be proud of what it has become.  Holschbach talks about the journey:

 

Stevens & Ballweg

Stevens & Ballweg

The construction of the Pavilions was done under a very tight timeline: Teardown of the old barns began at the conclusion of the Midwest Horse Fair on April 14th.  Miron Construction was the general contractor on the buildings, Ryan Ballweg and Jonathan Stevens headed-up the project.  Ballweg says they were putting a million dollars of construction in place every week for 22 weeks.  Stevens says it took a lot of coordination among the 25-plus sub-contractors and they also had to deal with the different challenges that spring-up with a project like this.  “Everything from contaminated soil to late deliveries.”  The original plan was to begin the project right after last year’s World Dairy Expo with completion in time for the Midwest Horse Fair.  In the end, the decision was made to delay the project choosing not to try to do it during the winter.  Given the winter we had last year, both men are very glad that decision was made.  Balweg and Stevens talk about the construction:

 

Governor Scott Walker was on-hand to help cut the ribbon on the facility.  He says it is yet another example of how important dairy and all of agriculture is to Wisconsin’s economy.  On top of that, the buildings will certainly prove to be an economic boost for Madison and Dane County.

Listen to Walker’s comments:

A panoramic view inside Pavilion 2

A panoramic view inside Pavilion 2

The BouMatic milking parlor

The BouMatic milking parlor

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