Mississippi Coliseum Upgrades

Renovations to the 10,000-capacity building will include a new stage and ticket booths, seats for disabled patrons and updates to restrooms to meet ADA requirements.

Billy Orr, executive director of the Mississippi State Fair Commission, told WAP-TV the building, which opened in 1962, “had some ADA work here many years ago. … At that time we were up to standard, but they keep improving the standards because they see peoples’ needs.

“It’s a federal deal. If you don’t come up to the standards of the ADA, someone will sue you and you will lose,” he said.

Upgrades will also include taking canopies off the sides of the arena and additional parking for disabled people that need curb ramps, Orr added.

The renovations are expected to cost nearly $3 million, but additional work could be coming. The Agriculture Commission that oversees building is also considering the addition of club-level suites and removing some steep staircases, the station reported. Officials hope to complete the project before this year’s state fair kicks off Oct. 1.