By RFD Radio/WFMB
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Coliseum on the state fairgrounds has been closed after engineers inspected the building and found structural deficiencies.
The Coliseum was set to hold a horse show this weekend. The Illinois Department of Agriculture said for safety reasons they have decided to close the building until repairs can be made. The IDOA said that they are waiting on final engineering reports to determine the extent of the damage and how long the building will be closed.
Republican State Rep. Tim Butler, whose district includes the fairgrounds, said a long-awaited fair foundation will help improve structures on the grounds but more money is needed.
“We are going to have to continue to have money from the state go into the fairgrounds,” Butler said. “We are going to have to have more state money go into the fairgrounds. I think it’s been neglected for far too long.”
The Coliseum was built in 1901 and was last refurbished in 1958.
