Updates from Graham Park – March 2026

Here’s a look at the latest progress and upcoming improvements at Graham Park from construction milestones and restoration work to facility upgrades supporting future events and community use. 

Graham Park exhibition center construction update 

Construction continues to move steadily forward at the future Graham Park exhibition center — an 80,000-square-foot, year-round facility designed to host agricultural events, trade shows, cultural gatherings, and more. Since the groundbreaking last summer, crews have moved from early site work into more visible building activity, completing major groundwork and infrastructure improvements that set the stage for vertical construction and bring the future footprint of the facility into view. 

Key site features are now complete, including the activity pad and program support plaza — both designed as flexible, multi-purpose spaces. The activity pad is a large concrete area that can accommodate portable bleachers and, depending on how it’s set up, can host everything from motorsport and livestock events to markets, festivals, car shows, or outdoor concerts. The program support plaza is designed to serve operational needs, with space for semi-trucks, RVs, or passenger vehicles, helping support large events and expand overflow parking when needed. These additions will enhance event capacity once the exhibition center opens, while also improving day-to-day flexibility at Graham Park during construction. Underground utilities, roadways, and stormwater systems have also been installed, marking significant progress on foundational elements. 

More recently, work has focused on the building itself. Crews are forming the foundation, with most concrete pours now complete, and the exterior arena walls nearing completion. Steel installation for the arena structure began earlier this year and will continue through March 2026, allowing the shape of the building to take form in the months ahead. 

Construction remains on track, with completion anticipated in early 2027. Visitors to Graham Park should continue to expect adjusted traffic patterns and limited parking in some areas as work progresses. Updates and construction highlights will continue to be shared on the Graham Park page of the county website. 

For a closer look at the project and to hear more from Associate Director of Facilities and Building Operations, Alex Schrader, check out recent coverage from KTTC. 

Enhancements to old highway shop exterior 

Restoration work is now complete on the historic highway shop at Graham Park — one of several WPA-era structures that reflect the site’s long-standing role in Olmsted County’s history. This effort centered on repairing and strengthening what was already in place to extend the life of the building. 

Constructed in 1938 at a total cost of $44,000, shared between Olmsted County and the Works Progress Administration, the stone garage replaced an earlier highway department building and originally housed a workshop, equipment storage, and offices for county engineering staff. Preserving this building helps maintain the architectural character and historic integrity of that era of investment at Graham Park. 

Over time, water infiltration led to wear and deterioration of the exterior masonry. Rather than replacing the structure, this project focused on preservation and long-term protection. Crews restored the exterior stone and brick masonry, repaired precast concrete wall caps and window sills, and replaced all exterior windows and doors. These improvements protect the building from future moisture damage while maintaining its historic appearance and strengthening its performance for years to come.  

Looking ahead, the restored building is expected to serve as a flexible event space that can support both year-round and seasonal activities at Graham Park. 

 Planning paid off: A successful hockey season at Graham Park 

This year’s hockey season at Graham Park is a great example of what can happen when teams work together toward a shared goal. From the outset, creating a temporary parking lot in time for the season was a clear priority. That expectation was built into the project timeline and shared early so everyone involved understood how important it was to have parking ready for families, players, and fans. Through consistent coordination and a focused effort from August to mid-November, the area was prepared and opened in time for public use. 

Additional signage was installed to improve wayfinding and make it easier for visitors to navigate the area. Thanks to this shared commitment and teamwork, the hockey season moved forward smoothly — reinforcing Olmsted County’s commitment to earning community trust through engagement, collaboration, and reliable public service. 

 Upcoming improvements at Graham Arena 

Several important upgrades are planned for the Graham Arena to support long-term use of the facilities and enhance the experience for fairgoers, athletes, and event organizers. North of Graham Arena 3, new icemaking equipment will be installed to replace systems that will be impacted by sitework tied to the future exhibition center. Installation of the new cooling tower is expected to begin in April 2026 and continue through September 2026, ensuring the arena remains ready to support ice activities moving forward. 

Additional improvements are focused on functionality and comfort. New livestock wash racks will be added near Graham Arena 3 and south of Graham Arena 2, with both ready in time for the 2026 Olmsted County Fair. Ventilation upgrades in Graham Arenas 2, 3, and 4 (Toyota Arena) will improve air flow and dehumidification, creating a more comfortable environment. This work will wrap up by mid-July 2026 ahead of the Olmsted County Fair.  

Graham Arena 3 will also receive a new overhead door and elevator on the west side along Fairgrounds Avenue to better connect it to the future exhibition center. Finally, the exterior of Graham Arena 3 will be refreshed with new metal panels and stone, beginning in early spring 2026 and finishing before the 2026 Olmsted County Fair.  

Together, these updates reflect responsible growth and development, as Olmsted County anticipates and adapts to the needs of a growing community while ensuring Graham Park remains ready to serve residents for years to come.