| History |
 Wisconsin State Fair Park's Development Director and a group of community leaders were presented plans for a proposed new Youth Center that would replace the existing outdated youth dormitory. The plans for the new Youth Center not only addressed its primary purpose, to safely house young people participating in the annual Wisconsin State Fair and other livestock events at Wisconsin State Fair Park, but also to expand to year around youth programs. Phase I of the Youth Center's development consisted of building relationships and establishing partnerships with other community based youth organizations. The goal was to identify groups that could be potential year around users of the Youth Center and develop new opportunities for community youth outreach. Wisconsin State Fair Park Youth Foundation played a major role in securing state project funding for the Youth Center. Foundation relationships with the Department of Administration, key government leaders and corporate leaders was essential to generate support for a new Youth Center. On June 6th, 2000, the Wisconsin State Fair Park Youth Foundation hosted a gala dedication and fund raising event officially naming Wisconsin State Fair Park's Youth Center the Tommy G. Thompson Youth Center. Governor Tommy G. Thompson was an enthusiastic supporter of expanding youth programming into the new facility. The Youth Foundation presented Wisconsin State Fair Park with a $50,000 check to purchase dormitory furniture for the newly named Youth Center. The Pettit National Ice Center, an Olympic Speedskating Training Center located on the Wisconsin State Fair Park grounds was easily identified as a key Youth Center user. In 2005, six dormitory rooms on the fifth floor were modified to Olympic Speed Skating Training specifications. Office space, originally constructed for the Milwaukee County UW Extension Office, now houses Wisconsin State Fair Park's Administrative Offices. The Wisconsin State Fair Park Youth Foundation is dedicated to the belief that providing youth with positive experiences will assist them to make correct choices ensuring the development of responsible citizens and future leaders. |
