Fort Worth Stock Show gives a glimpse of the future with cattle barn, promenade

Cattle Barn

Looking for the future of the iconic Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo?

You’ll get a glimpse of the future at this year’s show. The newly-renovated Cattle 2 barn features an expanded milking parlor with an enhanced visitor experience as well as a new, covered structure called the Tower Promenade.

The Tower Promenade, a 300-foot, arched pedestrian thoroughfare, will give visitors easy access between the Will Rogers Memorial Center’s (WRMC) parking facilities to the south and the Coliseum, exhibit halls and livestock facilities to the north. The 300-foot-long passageway is the latest addition in plans to expand the facilities that host the Stock Show and other events. The Tower Promenade will also be the connection between the future Multipurpose Arena (scheduled for 2020) and the event facilities.

“We are eager to kick off the legendary Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo so our guests can explore our renovations and expansion,” said Stock Show Chairman, Ed Bass as the ribbon was cut on the renovated cattle barn and the Tower Promenade on Tuesday.

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“The Stock Show is proud of our long-standing partnership with the City of Fort Worth that has helped to preserve and grow our home at WRMC.”

Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price was also there for the ribbon-cutting. “As the city of ‘Cowboys and Culture’, it’s our delight to honor and cherish our heritage while thoughtfully planning for the future,” she said. “Today, we reaffirm our commitment to care and invest in our city’s history and way of life by preserving and improving this portion of the Will Rogers Memorial Center.”

The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo begins Jan. 15 and runs through Feb. 6.

The Tower Promenade and the cattle barn renovations are part of the plans for expansion of the area that includes a new multipurpose arena and parking garage. In November 2014, voters approved plans for the $450 million project. The nonprofit Event Facilities Fort Worth has committed to raising at least half the project cost, capping the city’s obligation at half, and taking on any overruns.

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“This is such a unique project. The promenade is a signature statement connecting the existing Will Rogers Memorial Center campus to the new parking and future arena to the south. This type of barn doesn’t exist in any other facility in the world,” said David Stanford, principal designer with Hahnfeld Hoffer Stanford, the architect of the project.

Sedalco Construction Services was the general contractor.

“We are excited once again to have had the opportunity to be part of adding these additions and upgrades to what we knew already to be the premier livestock and equine facility in the country; that is the Will Rogers Memorial Center Complex.” said Russ Garrison, president for Sedalco Construction Services.