Construction has officially begun on long-anticipated infrastructure improvements at the Nevada State Fairgrounds, located in Reno and home to the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center.
The site, officially renamed through Assembly Bill 333 during the 83rd Legislative Session, is owned by the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA).
The department has launched the first phase of upgrades aimed at improving safety and laying the groundwork for future expansion.
Initial work will focus on critical infrastructure, including upgrades to the domestic and fire water systems, modernization of the sanitary sewer system to support additional restrooms, and improvements to the storm drainage system.
“These necessary upgrades to the water and sewer systems set the groundwork for future projects and improvements to be made,” said NDA Director J.J. Goicoechea. “Long-term goals for the Nevada State Fairgrounds include making necessary renovations to improve the safety of the facility and its ability to host a variety of events, including those for agriculture.”
The fairgrounds remain one of the most heavily booked event spaces in northern Nevada and serve a vital role as an emergency evacuation site during natural disasters such as wildfires and flooding.
Construction is expected to continue through fall 2026, with the NDA working to minimize disruptions to ongoing events at the site.
The renovation project is being managed by the Nevada Western Heritage Center Alliance, a nonprofit organization formed to help fund improvements to the facility.
In 2023, the Alliance secured federal recovery funds through the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, earmarked specifically for water, wastewater, and storm drainage upgrades.
“We are excited to get this first phase started and see this as the first step,” said Perry Di Loreto, Chair of the Nevada Western Heritage Center Alliance. “We appreciate the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for the grant and look forward to working with the NDA.”
This story has been updated to clarify the location of the Nevada State Fairgrounds, which are located in Reno and serve as the site for the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center. The fairgrounds were renamed through Assembly Bill 333 during the 83rd Legislative Session. The Nevada State Fairgrounds are not affiliated with the Nevada State Fair event or organization.
