|
Goodbye Heart O’Texas Fair Complex, Hello Extraco Events Center
McLennan County officials announced a naming-rights deal Tuesday for the Heart O’Texas Fair Complex.
|
|
54 Comments 
WACO (August 24, 2010)—The Heart O’ Texas Fair Complex in Waco is now the Extraco Events Center under the terms of a naming-rights deal that McLennan County officials announced Tuesday.
“Extraco Banks has a long history of being a great community partner for the Heart O’ Texas Fair Complex,” said Wes Allison, president and CEO of the complex.
“We’re thrilled to partner with a locally owned community bank in this historic endeavor.”
In June, McLennan County Commissioners signed on a proposed master plan that calls for expanding the Show Pavilion Facility including two new barns with 288 stalls, building a new show arena and a new outdoor warm-up pen, expanding paved parking lots, building a new larger Exposition Hall to replace the General Exhibits and Creative Arts Buildings and the addition of a hotel site.
A large new back-lit Extraco Events Center sign will be installed above the main entrance of the coliseum and other lighted signs will be added to the east and west sides of the fairgrounds.
Those should be in placed in time for the annual Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo in October.
The complex, which hosts more than 225 events attracting more than 420,000 people annually has a $40 million annual economic impact on the area, according to a study by Baylor University economist Dr. Tom Kelly.
Latest Comments
Mary (Chamble) Cousins named the HOT Colosseum You had a story about this on the news. how do i access this? She was my great Aunt
I don't get what all the fuss is about. It is just a name, nothing else is changing! It doesn't matter what it is called it is business as usual! Extraco paid to have it's name on it so that improvements that some of you are complaining about could be done. The buildings and the property are still owned by McLennan County, ownership didn't change just the name for however long the agreement is for.
I hope this doesn't come back to bite you or us average taxpaying citizens. Look at the current economy. Name recognition, loyalty, tradition, and trust are honored traits. Heart O' Texas Coliseum is recognized by Texans and nationwide by cowboys, vendors, and many other participants. It is a unique name. There's lots of buildings in Waco and other towns that have Extraco on them.
