State fairgrounds to feature new multipurpose event center

Visitors to the Alaska State Fair will be greeted by a new multipurpose event center that is set to finish prior to this year’s festivities.

The $2.5 million dollar project creates a permanent solution for two major amenities at the fair: restrooms and an event space.The new 8,300 square foot facility will be solely funded by proceeds generated by the state fair and fairgrounds from previous years.

“We are taking proceeds from the fair’s resources that have been generated through multiple years of successful fairs to reinvest into the fairgrounds,”Alaska State Fair CEO Jeff Curtis said. “We are reinvesting dollars earned from the community attending the fair into facilities that modernize the fairgrounds.”

The new building wi be built by the Purple Gate, an entrance commonly used by Valley residents to access the fair. The location lacked a permanent restroom facility in the past and portable toilets have been used as a temporary solution. The permanent restroom facility will be accessible for use through an entrance separate from that of the main event space.

The new building will also replace a temporary event tent that was used during the fair each year. Those same fair activities, such as luncheons and cooking competitions, will take place in the new 5400 square foot event space. The new building will be available for the community’s use throughout the year. Curtis said that Raven Hall’s 20,000 square foot space was simply too large for many of the community’s needs.

“We expect it will get a lot of use, both for our events that are already scheduled or future events,” Curtis said. “Specific rentals for specific needs like a wedding, like a business conference, like a nonprofit gala dinner type event, that’s the intended purpose with the size.”

Kuchar Construction, the same company that built the Sluicebox in 2023, started the build this spring and is on schedule to finish before the fair in August. The new building will have a similar look to that of the Sluicebox.

“We’re extremely proud and excited to bring this project forward and welcome the community to see it for the first time during the fair itself,” Curtis said.

The Alaska State Fair Office and the Board of Directors hired third-party company CSL to review the fairgrounds and event spaces to find improvements that could be implemented. This project addresses some of the suggested changes.

“I’m really proud of our team, of our board, to ultimately make this happen,” Curtis said. “It’s taken a lot of careful planning, thoughtful planning, but we’re excited about it.”

Without the support from the community and the State of Alaska, Curtis said projects like this wouldn’t be possible. He looks forward to seeing the response and continue improving the fairgrounds into the future.

“It’s a great piece of property that we want to make sure we maintain it and we develop it and we make it a destination for the community for many years to come,” Curtis said.

The Alaska State Fair office will begin taking inquiries for event space rentals after the fair. Those interested can request more information through the main office phone number or by email.