1. Larimer County Fairgrounds and Events Complex
Larimer County public works division
Master Plan
Larimer County Fairgrounds and Events Complex
BOCC/Planning Commission Work Session
August 9, 2017

2. Fairgrounds and Events Complex
Site History

3. Fairgrounds and Events Complex
Current Complex

4. Fairgrounds and Events Complex
Current Complex

5. Our Charge Define the vision and goals for the next 20 years
Fairgrounds and Events Complex
Our Charge
Define the vision and goals for the next 20 years
Encourage innovation, sustainability and the creation of public spaces
Must be market supported and financially grounded
Elevate user experience and maintain relevancy
Preserve healthy and safe environment

6. Report – table of contents
Fairgrounds and Events Complex
Report – table of contents
Introduction and Background
Facility & Business Operations
Market Conditions
Existing Facilities and Site
Master Plan Foundation
Master Plan Elements and Analysis
Appendix Data

7. Process + Schedule
5 Event Series

8. Who’s Involved? Methods: 100,000+ 2,800+
people have received direct notification about opportunities
2,800+
people have commented via events, questionnaires or online
Methods:
Stakeholder Interviews
Press Releases
The Ranch Stakeholder Committee and Technical Advisory Committee
Online Questionnaires #1 + #2
New West Fest
Neighborhood Postcards
Larimer County Fair & Rodeo
Outdoor Public Horsetooth, Carter Lake, and The Ranch
BEC Events
Entrance Carter + Horsetooth
Facebook
Constant Contact s

9. Feedback So Far Strong Community Interest In More:
Concert/Music or Entertainment Events
Family Entertainments
Enhanced Outdoor Festivals, Events and Amenities
Community Events
Equine Shows or other Livestock Events
Transportation Convenience

10. Creating a Balanced Plan
Market research assessed potential demand, opportunities and program improvements
Strategies for long-term viability of The Ranch
Preliminary market assessment culminated in prioritizing market segments by demand potential
Operating Objectives / Marketability / Functionality / Patron Experience
Physical Program / Design / Cost
Potential Revenue Generating Uses / Return on Investment

11. Preliminary Market Study Findings
Market Segment
Demand Potential
Rationale
Equine/Livestock
High
Local significance and in-line with the vision
Existing base of business
Existing program elements
Potential to increase number and scope of events
Ability to host more simultaneous events
Opportunity for incremental new revenues and economic impact
Festivals/Outdoor Events
Relative limited venues in primary market
Industry trends, particularly toward local/regional festivals
Strong interest expressed from public
Highly attended and highly profitable events
Exhibit/Meeting/Banquet
Moderate
Existing base of business could increase
Ability to support regional businesses
Multiple, diverse exhibit users/target markets (e.g., equine, agricultural, outdoors, large equipment, etc.)
Diverse meeting/banquet demand generators (e.g., community, corporate, agricultural, etc.)
Year-round activity
Potential associated revenue streams
Sports/Entertainment Events
Supply of established competitive facilities in the region
Industry trends
Fair
Stable
Any improvements will support/augment Fair activity
Limited opportunity to significantly increase revenues

12. Overview of Facilities
Fairgrounds and Events Complex
Overview of Facilities
Existing Conditions and Potential Improvements
Events Center
Community and Youth Development
Exhibition Hall
Indoor Arena and Pavilion
Outdoor Arenas and Site Improvements

13. - Events Center - Indoor Arena/Pavilions
- Expo Hall and Conference Center
- Community/Youth Development
- Common Areas
- Outdoor Pavilion
- Outdoor Stage
- Natatorium
- Ice Center

14. Events Center Facility Attributes Primary Event Mix
Fairgrounds and Events Complex
Events Center
Facility Attributes
Multi-purpose arena with 5,000 seats for sporting events and 7,200 seats for concerts
25 suites
Executive Club
Bullhorn Lounge
Primary Production Kitchen for The Ranch
Managed by Spectra Venue Management
Primary Event Mix
Sporting Events
Concerts
Family Shows
Special Events
Graduations and Community Events
Events Center

15. Events Center Identified Improvement Options
Fairgrounds and Events Complex
Events Center
Identified Improvement Options
New Suite Level Deck
Expand customer experience
Capitalize on mountain view
Enhanced Seating and Suites, VIP Area
Food and Beverage Concessions Enhancements
Two Concourse Level Locations
Facility Enhancements for Venue/Events
Expand Locker Rooms
Green Rooms and Artist Rooms
Workout Facility
Facility Enhancements for Operations
Expand Kitchen
Expand Office Area
Storage, Loading Dock

16. Community & youth development
Fairgrounds and Events Complex
Community & youth development
McKee Building
Facility Attributes
12,500 SF Exhibition Hall
Divisible to Hall A (7,500 SF)
Hall B (2,000 SF) and Hall C (3,000 SF)
Six Meeting Rooms
Three Rooms Connect to Total 3,350 SF
Three Rooms Connect to Total 2,600 SF
Kitchen/Concessions
Primary Event Mix
4-H Activity
Larimer County Meetings
Extension Events
Community Events
Other Meetings
Banquets

17. Community & youth development
Fairgrounds and Events Complex
Community & youth development
Identified Improvement Options
Additional Meeting Rooms
Additional Storage Rooms
Shooting Sports Facility *
Natatorium Training and Competition Facility *
Ice Center Training and Competition Facility *
Youth Development with CSU Extension Office
Farmers Market and Concessions Space
* Requires partnership arrangements

18. Exhibition hall Fairgrounds and Events Complex Facility Attributes
Facility Attributes
18,000 SF North Exhibition Hall
Banquet capacity - 800
18,000 SF South Exhibition Hall
Divisible to Crowley Hall (12,000 SF) and Morehouse Hall (6,000 SF)
Five Meeting Rooms
Two Rooms Connect to Total 1,100 SF
Three Rooms Connect to Total 1,800 SF
Kitchen/Concessions
Administration/Event Offices
Primary Event Mix
Banquets
Meetings
Trade Shows
Conferences
Community Events

19. Exhibition hall Identified Improvement Options
Fairgrounds and Events Complex
Exhibition hall
Identified Improvement Options
Renovation/Expansion of Space
50,000 SF contiguous exhibit space
Upscale Multi-purpose, Flex Space
25,000 SF additional space
Banquet capabilities
Additional Meeting Rooms (6 to 8)
Relocation/Expansion of Kitchen
Relocation of Offices

20. Indoor arena & Pavilions
Fairgrounds and Events Complex
Indoor arena & Pavilions
Indoor Arena Attributes
150’ X 300’ Indoor Dirt Arena
1,000 Seat Capacity
Attached Indoor Warm-Up Arena
Pavilion Attributes
Two 48,000 SF Pavilions
Each Capable of Holding 180 Stalls
Indoor Arena Primary Mix
Equine/Livestock Events
Small to Mid-Sized Rodeo Events
Pavilion Primary Event Mix
Animal Housing
Livestock Shows, Clinics and Sales
Trade/Consumer Shows
Indoor Arena and Livestock Pavilions

21. Indoor arena & Pavilions
Fairgrounds and Events Complex
Indoor arena & Pavilions
Identified Improvement Options
Second Arena Facility
Enclosed Heading or Open
Min. 150’ x 300’ show ring
Spectator Seating 1,500 to 2,500
Large Indoor Warm-Up Area
Covered Outdoor Warm-up Area
Non-Covered Warm-up Areas
Additional Pavilion/Barn Space
300 to 400 new stalls
Potential Expo Space for Arena Events
CSU Vet Extension and Teaching Space

22. Outdoor areas & Site Fairgrounds and Events Complex
Outdoor Arenas
Facility Attributes
Round Up Outdoor Arena
Longhorn Outdoor Arena
Each Arena is 120’ X 240’
Each Has a 100-Seat Capacity
Primary Event Mix
Outdoor Rodeos
Warm-Up Area for Events
Equine/Livestock Events
Facility Attributes
11.8 Acre Courtyard
Bowl (2.84 Ac), Corral (1.12 Ac), Triangle (0.97 Ac)
Paved and Grassy Areas
North Forty Dryland Acreage – Acres
Primary Event Mix
Special Events
Music Festivals
Exhibitions
Other Outdoor Areas

23. Fairgrounds and Events Complex
Outdoor areas & Site

24. Outdoor areas & Site Identified Improvement Options
Fairgrounds and Events Complex
Outdoor areas & Site
Identified Improvement Options
Reconfiguration of Arena Circle
Outdoor Covered Pavilion/Stage
Hosting approx. 150 people
RV Camping Space for on-site events
50+ full service
Total of 100 on-site
Entry Plaza Enhancements
Campus Development
Grading, Drainage & Landscaping
Internal Roadways & Signage
Parking Lots
Walkways
Utilities

25. Next Steps and Upcoming Milestones
Stakeholder and TAC Committee Meetings August 16 and August 17 to present proposed final plan
Staff and Consulting Team will continue to finalize draft of Master Plan for Board of County Commissioners Meeting in September
Request Board of County Commissioners Recommendation for Approval of Master Plan September 12, 2017
Planning Commission Public Hearing and Approval September 20, 2017
aff and Consulting Team will continue to finalize draft of Master Plan and Summary for Board of County Commissioners Meeting in October
Board of County Commissioners work session October 2017
Stakeholder and TAC Committee Meetings (Date TBD) following direction from BOCC work session
Utilize evaluation criteria created today to determine Master Plan with direction of funding from Board of County Commissioners
Final Master Plan will be completed in January 2018