History of Alliant Energy Center in Timeline

Alliant Energy Center is a large multi-building complex situated in Madison, Wisconsin. Spanning 164 acres, it features several venues including 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 each year, attracting more than a million attendees. These events range from meetings and banquets to sporting events and concerts, making it a versatile destination for a wide variety of activities.

1938: Dane County Fair halted

In 1938, the Dane County Fair was halted at the Lakeside Park Farm location due to financial difficulties.

1941: Mortgage paid off

In 1941, the Dane County board managed to pay off the mortgage for the Lakeside Park Farm property, even though the Dane County Fair was held in an alternate location.

1951: Dane County Fair returned; construction on venue upgrades completed

In 1951, the Dane County Fair moved back to the present Alliant Energy Center (formerly the Expo Center), where it remains today. Roads, parking lots, sewer and water lines, a heating plant and kitchen/bathroom facilities were constructed on the grounds from 1949 to 1951.

1951: Dane County Fair returned

In 1951, the Dane County Fair returned to the current Alliant Energy Center site, known then as Lakeside Park Farm.

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, housing 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 events such as the Zor Shrine Circus, World Dairy Expo, Ice Capades, Dane County Junior Fair, The ABC National Bowling Tournament, Frank Sinatra concerts, Bob Hope performances, Tony Bennett shows, Duke Ellington concerts, Janis Joplin concerts, Jimi Hendrix concerts, The Doors concerts, David Bowie concerts, Pink Floyd concerts, Jethro Tull concerts, The Who concerts, Elvis Presley concerts and The Grateful Dead concerts.

1967: Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey team began playing at the Coliseum

In 1967, the Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey team started playing at the Coliseum for the 1967–68 season.

1971: State tournaments for boys' hockey held in the Coliseum

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

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.

1974: State tournaments for boys' hockey held in Green Bay

In 1974, the state tournaments for boys' hockey were held in Green Bay instead of the Coliseum.

1975: State tournaments for boys' hockey held in Green Bay

In 1975, the state tournaments for boys' hockey were held in Green Bay instead of the Coliseum.

1977: Coliseum schedule reached 160 event days

In 1977, the Coliseum schedule reached 160 event days, indicating a high demand for trade and consumer shows and conventions, competing with concerts, sporting events, and family shows.

1978: Addition to the Youth Building built, named the Forum

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

1990: Alliant Energy Center operated without County general fund monies

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

1992: Veterans Memorial Coliseum celebrated its 25th anniversary

In 1992, Veterans Memorial Coliseum celebrated its 25th anniversary. Over 16 million people had entered the Coliseum doors to attend a vast array of events.

September 1995: Exhibition Hall Completed

In September 1995, Exhibition Hall was completed, offering 255,000 square feet of exhibit space for conventions, trade shows, consumer shows, meetings, and conferences.

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.

1995: Exhibition Hall replaced the Forum

In 1995, the Forum was replaced with the construction of Exhibition Hall.

1995: Madison Monsters began playing at the Coliseum

In 1995, the Madison Monsters, a minor league hockey franchise, began playing in the Coliseum.

1997: Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey team moved to the Kohl Center

In 1997, the Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey team moved to the Kohl Center on campus for the 1997–98 season, after having played at the Coliseum since 1967.

1998: Madison Mad Dogs began playing at the Coliseum

In 1998, the Madison Mad Dogs, an indoor football team, began playing in the Coliseum.

1999: Wisconsin Badgers women's hockey team played games at the Coliseum; Madison Kodiaks began playing at the coliseum

In 1999, The Wisconsin Badgers women's hockey team played a number of games on the Coliseum ice in their first two seasons. Also, the Madison Kodiaks, a minor league hockey franchise, began playing in the coliseum.

2000: Madison Kodiaks played in 1999-2000 season; Badgers women's hockey team played games at the Coliseum

In 2000, The Madison Kodiaks played in 1999-2000 season. Also, the Wisconsin Badgers women's hockey team played a number of games on the Coliseum ice in their first two seasons.

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. The agreement does not include the naming rights of individual buildings on the campus, which have all retained their original names.

2001: State tournaments for girls' hockey held in the Coliseum

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

2002: Willow Island developed

In 2002, Willow Island, a 29-acre natural area, was developed at the Alliant Energy Center.

2003: Willow Island debuted as an outdoor venue

In 2003, Willow Island debuted as an outdoor venue for outdoor festivals, consumer shows, corporate events, music events, auctions and more.

2004: Willow Island hosted ESPN Great Outdoor Games

In 2004, Willow Island hosted the fifth year of the ESPN Great Outdoor Games, featuring athletes competing in outdoor activities.

2004: Coliseum Renovations

Veterans Memorial Coliseum began a complete renovation in 2004 that was completed in 2005.

2005: Willow Island became new location for Brat Fest

Starting in 2005, Willow Island became the new location for the annual Brat Fest fundraiser, which takes place on Memorial Day weekend.

2005: Coliseum Renovations completed

Veterans Memorial Coliseum completed a complete renovation in 2005, after starting in 2004.

April 19, 2007: Alliant Energy Center recognized by Travel Green Wisconsin

On April 19, 2007, the Alliant Energy Center was recognized by Travel Green Wisconsin, receiving the Travel Green Certification for reducing their environmental impact.

2009: Wisconsin Wolfpack played at the 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 completed for new multi-use pavilions

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

April 2014: Construction began on new pavilions

Construction on new multi-use pavilions at the Alliant Energy Center began in April 2014 and was completed by late September for the 2014 World Dairy Expo.

2015: WJJO Band Camp music festival held at Willow Island

In 2015, The WJJO Band Camp music festival was held at Willow Island. This was the last year the music festival would be held at Willow Island, being held there from 2004-2015.