Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum

Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum

Former names	Hippodrome (1951–1975)[4] Coliseum (1975–2006)[4]
Address	1784 Judson Ave
Location	Falcon Heights, Minnesota
Coordinates	44.9781°N 93.1744°W / 44.9781; -93.1744
Capacity	5,000[3]
Construction
Opened	1951; 74 years ago (1951)[1]
Construction cost	$1.2 million[1] (equivalent to $14,100,000 in 2023)[2]

The Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum is a 5,000-seat[3] indoor arena in Falcon Heights, Minnesota, United States.[5] Built in 1951 on the grounds of the Minnesota State Fair, the venue hosts indoor events of the fair such as livestock shows, dog shows, equestrian and bull riding.[3] During the fair, vendors selling merchandise such as Western wear fill the concourse.[3]

History

The original structure on the site, the St. Paul Hippodrome, was built in 1906 and housed an indoor ice rink from 1909 to 1942. The building fell into disrepair after being used as a military aircraft propeller plant during World War II.[4] The current structure was built in 1951 in an Art Deco style consistent with other fairgrounds buildings of the era.[6] It continued to be known as the Hippodrome until 1975 when it was renamed Coliseum.[4] The arena was renamed Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum in 2006. Lee Warner was Vice President of the Minnesota State Agricultural Society Board of Managers, which oversees the Minnesota State Fair, from 1919 to 1944.[7]

On October 6, 1962, President John F. Kennedy spoke at the arena to campaign for Democratic candidates in the upcoming congressional election.[8]

Air conditioning was added in 1975 which allowed for an ice rink in the arena.[9] The coliseum then became popular in the winter months as a venue for high school and college ice hockey, hosting up to five games per week through the 1980s.[10] The University of St. Thomas men's hockey team played its home games at the coliseum from 1976 until 2003.[6] With expensive repairs needed to the arena's ice-making equipment and decline in usage, the final hockey game was played there in 2014.[10]

The arena has also hosted professional sports, including the Minnesota Monsters, St. Paul Fighting Saints, and North Star Roller Derby.

Renovation

Following the 2024 State Fair, the arena is scheduled to undergo several improvements, including a new roof, better lighting and airflow.[9] The renovations are set to cost an estimated $22 million and will be funded in part by a $2 increase to State Fair admission tickets.[11][12]

Gallery

Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum

• 
  Exterior, January 2018
• 
  Interior, during the 2016 Minnesota State Fair
• 
  Interior, during the 2022 Minnesota State Fair
• 
  President John F. Kennedy speaking at Hippodrome, 6 October 1962
• 
  Main entrance signage and relief of Seal of Minnesota imagery

References

1. "Lee and Rose Warner". Vintage Minnesota Hockey - History. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
2. 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved 29 February 2024.
3. "Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum". Minnesota State Fair. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
4. "History". Minnesota State Fair. 8 November 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
5. Millett, L. (2007). AIA Guide to the Twin Cities: The Essential Source on the Architecture of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Minnesota Historical Society Press. p. 578. ISBN 978-0-87351-540-5. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
6. Murphy, Brian (25 December 2008). "Fairgrounds Coliseum a host of many hockey memories". TwinCities.com. St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
7. McClure, Jane (11 August 2023). "Did you know about the old Hippodrome?". Midway Como Frogtown Monitor. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
8. "Remarks at the Hippodrome Arena in St. Paul, Minnesota, 6 October 1962 | JFK Library". www.jfklibrary.org. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
9. Lauritsen, John (21 August 2024). "The history behind the Minnesota State Fair's Lee and Rose Warner Coliseum - CBS Minnesota". www.cbsnews.com. WCCO-TV. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
10. "Hockey bids fond farewell to Fairgrounds Coliseum". TwinCities.com. St. Paul Pioneer Press. 12 January 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
11. "Minnesota State Agricultural Society's Annual Meeting Looks Ahead to 2025 Minnesota State Fair". Minnesota State Fair. 19 January 2025. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
12. MPR News Staff (19 January 2025). "Minnesota State Fair admission price jumps to $20 per person; increase to fund improvements". MPR News. Retrieved 19 January 2025.