93.3 KWTO Keeping Watch Over the Ozarks
The Ozark Empire Fairgrounds is closer to getting a new arena after receiving a $5 million grant from the state.
The current arena is 60 years old, has a dirt floor, and seats 2,400 people.
The proposed new arena will have a concrete floor and seat up to 6,800 people.
It’s projected to cost $15 million.
Ozark Empire Fairgrounds General Manager Aaron Owen says with the grant, the fair board has raised seven million dollars, but needs to raise roughly $7 million more to build the arena.