History of Alliant Energy Center in Timeline

Alliant Energy Center is a multi-building complex spanning 164 acres in Madison, Wisconsin. Its facilities include the Exhibition Hall (255,000 sq ft), Veterans Memorial Coliseum (10,000 seats), Willow Island (29 acres), multi-use pavilions, and the Arena (22,000 sq ft). The center hosts over 500 events annually, attracting more than a million visitors to a diverse range of activities from local gatherings and banquets to major sporting events and concerts.

1938: Dane County Fair halted

In 1938, the Dane County Fair was halted at the Lakeside Park Farm site due to financial difficulties, and it did not return until 1951.

1941: Mortgage paid off

In 1941, even with the Dane County Fair held in an alternate location, the County board did not abandon the Lakeside Park Farm site, and Dane County managed to pay off the mortgage for the property.

1951: Dane County Fair returned

In 1951, the Dane County Fair moved back to the present Alliant Energy Center (formerly the Expo Center) and remains there today.

1951: Dane County Fair moved back; Infrastructure built

In 1951, the Dane County Fair moved back to the present Alliant Energy Center (formerly the Expo Center). Also during 1949-51, roads, parking lots, sewer and water, a heating plant and kitchen/bathroom facilities were built on the grounds, marking a turning point towards a full-service venue.

1954: Arena built

In 1954, the Arena was built at the Alliant Energy Center site; it is the only building still standing from that era.

1962: Youth Building constructed

In 1962, the Youth Building was constructed at the Alliant Energy Center and housed the offices for 4-H in Dane County. This area now serves as the administration building for the Alliant Energy Center.

1967: Veterans Memorial Coliseum built

In 1967, Veterans Memorial Coliseum was built, hosting a variety of acts including the Zor Shrine Circus, World Dairy Expo, the Ice Capades, Dane County Junior Fair, The ABC National Bowling Tournament, Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Tony Bennett, Duke Ellington, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, The Who, and Elvis Presley.

1967: Badgers hockey team started playing at Coliseum

In 1967, the Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey team began playing at the Coliseum, making it their home until 1997.

1971: State Hockey Tournaments held in the Coliseum

Since 1971, state tournaments for boys' hockey have been held in the Coliseum, except in 1974 and 1975.

1974: State Hockey Tournaments held in Green Bay

In 1974, the WIAA boys' state hockey tournament was held in Green Bay instead of the Coliseum.

1974: First Exposition Center Commission appointed

In 1974, the first Exposition Center Commission was appointed to head construction and development for the present Alliant Energy Center (formerly Expo Center).

1975: State Hockey Tournaments held in Green Bay

In 1975, the WIAA boys' state hockey tournament was held in Green Bay instead of the Coliseum.

1977: Coliseum schedule reaching 160 event days

In 1977, the Coliseum schedule reached 160 event days, which made it clear that the demand for trade and consumer shows and conventions was competing with concerts, sporting events and family shows.

1978: Addition to Youth Building built

In 1978, an addition to the Youth Building was built (now the Administration Building) and the new facility was named the Forum. At the time, this facility offered the area's largest facilities for trade shows, banquets and other public functions.

1990: Operated without county funding

Since 1990, the Alliant Energy Center operates without the use of County general fund monies. It is run as a business using facility-generated revenues to cover operational expenses.

1992: Coliseum's 25th anniversary

In 1992, Veterans Memorial Coliseum celebrated its 25th anniversary, with over 16 million visitors having attended events at the venue.

September 1995: Exhibition Hall completed

In September 1995, Exhibition Hall was completed on the Alliant Energy Center campus, providing 255,000 square feet of exhibit space.

1995: Madison Monsters played in Coliseum

From 1995 until 1999, the Madison Monsters, a minor league hockey franchise, played in the Coliseum.

1995: Exhibition Hall built

In 1995, the 255,000-square-foot Exhibition Hall was built at Alliant Energy Center, becoming the largest unobstructed facility for trade/consumer shows and conventions in the state.

1997: Badgers hockey team moved

In 1997, the Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey team moved to the Kohl Center.

1998: Madison Mad Dogs played in Coliseum

From 1998 to 2000, the Madison Mad Dogs, an indoor football team, played in the Coliseum.

1999: Wisconsin Badgers women's hockey team played on the Coliseum ice

In 1999, the Wisconsin Badgers women's hockey team played a number of games on the Coliseum ice. The Madison Monsters also played in the Coliseum until 1999, and the Madison Kodiaks began playing in the Coliseum in 1999–2000.

2000: Madison Kodiaks played in Coliseum

In 2000, the Wisconsin Badgers women's hockey team also played a number of games on the Coliseum ice in 2000–01, and the Madison Mad Dogs, an indoor football team, played in the Coliseum until 2000. The Madison Kodiaks also played in the Coliseum in 1999–2000.

2000: Naming rights sold to Alliant Energy Corporation

In 2000, the naming rights for the Dane County Exposition Center were sold to Alliant Energy Corporation for 20 years; however, the individual buildings retained their original names.

2001: State Tournaments for girls' hockey held in Coliseum

Since 2001, all state tournaments for girls' hockey have been held in the Coliseum since 2001–02.

2002: Willow Island developed

In 2002, Willow Island, a 29-acre natural area, was developed.

2003: Willow Island debut

In 2003, Willow Island made its debut as an outdoor venue.

2004: ESPN Great Outdoor Games hosted at Willow Island

In 2004, Willow Island hosted the fifth year of the ESPN Great Outdoor Games.

2004: WJJO Band Camp held at Willow Island

Starting in 2004, The WJJO Band Camp music festival was held at Willow Island.

2004: Coliseum renovation

The Veterans Memorial Coliseum was completely renovated during 2004–2005.

2005: Brat Fest moved to Willow Island

Starting in 2005, Willow Island became the new location for the annual Brat Fest fundraiser.

2005: Coliseum renovation

The Veterans Memorial Coliseum was completely renovated during 2004–2005.

April 19, 2007: Alliant Energy Center receives Travel Green Certification

On April 19, 2007, the Alliant Energy Center was recognized by Travel Green Wisconsin as a recipient of the Travel Green Certification.

2009: Wisconsin Wolfpack played in Coliseum

In 2009, indoor football returned to the Coliseum as the Continental Indoor Football League's Wisconsin Wolfpack played the 2009 season there.

2013: Plans for new pavilions completed

In 2013, Dane County completed plans for the construction of new multi-use pavilions at the Alliant Energy Center, which would replace nine agricultural barns.

April 2014: Pavilion construction began

In April 2014, construction began on the new multi-use pavilions at the Alliant Energy Center.

2014: Madison Capitols played in Coliseum

The Madison Capitols played its home games at the Coliseum between 2014 and 2017.

2015: WJJO Band Camp held at Willow Island

The WJJO Band Camp music festival was held at Willow Island from 2004 - 2015.

2017: Madison Capitols moved

In 2017, the Madison Capitols moved to Bob Suter's Capitol Ice Arena prior to their 2017-18 season, after playing at the Coliseum between 2014 and 2017.