The Iowa State Fair Master Plan had identified a new prominent secure entrance gate was needed on the north side of the Fairgrounds to replace a temporary small ticketing shack. Its high-traffic location at the main drive to the fair’s on-site parking also made it a vulnerable spot to breach the fairground’s security. The new gates and canopy incorporate many subtle additions that create a secure, multi-feature entrance to safeguard and serve the fair. Firstly, retractable high-impact bollards protect pedestrians along the entire front of the ticketing plaza and prevent any vehicle from entry unless approved. The multiple heavy-duty gate stations are wired for future security measures such as electronic screening, bag check, cameras, and other safety measures.
The buildings are covered and linked by a soaring tensile canopy that creates a memorable entrance and provides weather protection for the ticket takers. The building components include multi-station ticket windows, private office, restroom, and mechanical spaces. The climate-controlled ticket selling window stations offer secure locations for monetary transactions as well as comfortable spaces for the workers during all sorts of weather. At night, the canopy is indirectly lit with colored LED lights which are repeated in the adjacent site lighting bollards. During Fair time, the canopy is always lit “Blue Ribbon” blue, to help provide patrons an easy way to identify this entry point which can be seen from a great distance across the fairgrounds. Other year-round events held on the fairgrounds are able to customize the light color for their specific need to anything in the rainbow!
