Dust continues to fly on the $32 million construction and infrastructure improvement campaign at Fort Worth’s Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas.
“Our strong commitment to improvement is exemplified by providing early installation of our new Priefert horse stalls and infrastructure improvements that are ahead of schedule,” according to Kirk Slaughter, public events director for the City of Fort Worth.
“Fort Worth is making an additional $32 million investment for enhancement to Will Rogers Memorial Center that will ensure that our complex remains competitive to the largest and most visible equestrian events in the world.”
The most significant part of the center’s expansion package is the new Equestrian Multi-Purpose Facility being constructed along the east side of Will Rogers at the corner of University Drive and Harley Avenue.
Approximately 740 new horse stalls will reside on the lower level of the new building, while two 100’x200’ indoor exercise/warm-up arenas will be above. An expanded underground tunnel system will allow livestock to be transferred throughout the complex without interfering with traffic or exposing the animals to inclement weather.
Artist Mike Mandel has been selected by the Fort Worth Arts Commission to design a series of porcelain and glass photographic tile murals for new Equestrian Multi-Purpose Center. Similar to his work on the parking garage next to the Museum of Science and History, Mandel’s tile murals will depict horse breeds (Appaloosa, Arabian and Paint) and equestrian disciplines (Quarter Horses in reining and cutting horse events) as well as honoring two historically significant horses:
- Wimpy – the 1941 grand champion of the Fort Worth Fat Stock Show, bred on the famous King Ranch, and
- Soapsuds – humorist-philosopher Will Rogers’ favorite horse and the horse on which he taught his children to ride
The tile murals are expected to be installed in the spring of 2012.
Established in Fort Worth in 1936 to house events near downtown and in the Cultural District, the Will Rogers Memorial Center now attracts in excess of 2 million visitors each year. This 85-acre facility plays host to an extensive variety of cultural, educational, recreational and sporting events and has become a premier destination for national and international equestrian events.
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