History of Alliant Energy Center in Timeline

Alliant Energy Center is a large multi-building complex in Madison, Wisconsin, spanning 164 acres. It features 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. These events range from local gatherings and banquets to major concerts and sporting events, making it a significant venue for diverse activities.

1938: Dane County Fair halted

In 1938, the Dane County Fair was halted at the Lakeside Park Farm site due to financial difficulties. The fair was held in an alternate location until 1951.

1941: Dane County Pays off Mortgage

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

1951: Dane County Fair Moves Back

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

1954: Arena Built

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

1962: Youth Building Constructed

In 1962, the Youth Building was constructed 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 (formerly known as Dane County Coliseum) was built. It is a 10,231-seat multi-purpose arena that is the centerpiece of the Alliant Energy Center campus.

1967: Wisconsin Badgers Men's Hockey Team at the Coliseum

In 1967, the Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey team began playing at the Coliseum.

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 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 (formerly Expo Center).

1974: State Hockey Tournaments Relocated

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

1975: State Hockey Tournaments Relocated

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

1977: Coliseum Schedule Reaches 160 Event Days

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

1978: Addition to Youth Building and New Facility

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

1990: Center Operates Without County Funds

Since 1990, the Alliant Energy Center has been operating without the use of County general fund monies, functioning as a business using facility-generated revenues.

1992: Veterans Memorial Coliseum 25th Anniversary

In 1992, Veterans Memorial Coliseum celebrated its 25th anniversary, with over 16 million people having entered the Coliseum doors to attend various events.

September 1995: Exhibition Hall Completed

In September 1995, Exhibition Hall was completed with 255,000 square feet of exhibit space, 14 meeting rooms, a lobby and four exhibit halls.

1995: Exhibition Hall Built

In 1995, due to the large demand for exhibit space, the 255,000-square-foot Exhibition Hall was built at Alliant Energy Center as the largest unobstructed facility for trade/consumer shows and conventions in the state.

1995: Madison Monsters at the Coliseum

Starting in 1995, the Madison Monsters played at the Coliseum until 1999.

1997: Wisconsin Badgers Men's Hockey Team Moves

In 1997, the Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey team moved to the Kohl Center on campus, after playing at the coliseum since 1967.

1998: Madison Mad Dogs at the Coliseum

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

1999: Madison Kodiaks at the Coliseum

In 1999, the Madison Kodiaks played in the Coliseum for the 1999-2000 season.

2000: Women's Hockey Team Played Games on the Coliseum Ice

In 2000, the Wisconsin Badgers women's hockey team played a number of games on the Coliseum ice in their first two seasons (1999-00 and 2000–01).

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 a 20-year period. The agreement did not include the naming rights of individual buildings on the campus.