Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum

The Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum is a 5,000-seat^[2] 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.^[2] During the fair, vendors selling merchandise such as Western wear fill the concourse.^[2]

Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum

Former names	Hippodrome (1951–1975)[1] Coliseum (1975–2006)[1]
Address	1784 Judson Ave
Location	Falcon Heights, Minnesota
Coordinates	44.9781°N 93.1744°W / 44.9781; -93.1744
Capacity	5,000[2]
Construction
Opened	1951; 74 years ago (1951)[3]
Construction cost	$1.2 million[3] (equivalent to $14,500,000 in 2024)[4]

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.^[1] 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.^[1] 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