Ozark Empire Fairgrounds scores Developer of the Year award for Wilson Logistics Arena 

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The Ozark Empire Fairgrounds & Event Center captured Developer of the Year honors for its Wilson Logistics Arena at tonight’s 40th Salute to Design and Construction Awards banquet. 

Additionally, the Design Team of the Year honor was awarded for the James River Church Youth Center addition and renovation project. The team included Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective, architect and mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineer; Miller Engineering PC, structural engineer; Own Inc., civil engineer; Touche Design Co., interior designer; and Ross Construction Group LLC, general contractor. The project at James River Church won over the Jellyfish Gallery that is currently approaching completion at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium. 

These marquee prizes, presented by the Springfield Contractors Association, were among the professional awards given during the annual celebration that was held at the Oasis Convention Center. 

Two Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented by the Salute Council. They went to David Williams, owner of Williams Construction Co., and Richard B. Quint Jr., president of construction management firm Q & Co. LLC. 

The American Institute of Architects selected Tony Bird of Knot 2 Rustic Woodworks LLC for its Craftsman of the Year award. The award cited Bird’s mastery of technique and his eye for detail in woodworking, as he blends traditional methods with innovative ideas. 

Additionally, the AIA presented the Superintendent of the Year award to Chris Collins of Crossland Construction Co. Inc. for his work on Cogdill Early Childhood Center in Strafford. Collins was praised for his professionalism and for achieving this distinction while under the age of 30. 

Collins said the award was unexpected, but he added he is blessed with the ability to do what he loves on a daily basis. 

The National Association of Women in Construction presented two Outstanding Women in Construction awards. The Vesta Award, given to a woman who has been in the industry for more than 10 years, went to Mary Beth Hartman of Hartman & Co. and Hunter-Chase and Associates Inc. 

Additionally, the organization’s Rosebud Award, for a woman who has been in the industry for less than 10 years, was presented to Julie Grauf of CB-GC LLC. 

Arena impact 
Speaking about the 164,000-square-foot Wilson Logistics Arena project, Owen told Springfield Business Journal that he has 12 years under his belt with Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, and the past 10 years of that time have featured heavy development. 

“We have pretty much redeveloped the whole fairgrounds, other than the E-Plex,” he said. “We took a lot of buildings down and rebuilt them and reconditioned them, and we built five new buildings during that time period as well.” 

Owen came to his current position with a background in construction and agriculture, and reenvisioning the fairground came naturally, he said.  

Owen said he is particularly proud of the Wilson Logistics Arena, and he noted his favorite aspect is its versatility. 

“It supports the whole community,” he said. “We’re kind of ag based, and it’s beyond that – it’s sports and recreation as well as ag, so it’s got a lot of diversity to it.” 

The arena was a $31 million project, and the nomination form for the award lists contributions from 43 contractors and subcontractors. 

The nomination form, which was anonymous, cited the Ozark Empire Fair Foundation as being committed to fair and honest business practices. 

“All facets of the project were sent out to receive multiple bids followed with a rigorous vetting process to ensure accuracy and fairness,” the nomination reads. 

The nomination also mentioned prompt decision-making and payments and a team approach that allowed everyone involved to share in the project’s success. 

According to past SBJ reporting, the economic impact of the arena, which opened Jan. 11, could hit $60 million in its first year. 

Expanded coverage is planned for the Nov. 11 issue of SBJ.