The Illinois State Fairgrounds Coliseum renovation won the 2020 Project of the Year Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Central Illinois Section. Photo by June Stricker/Hanson Professional Services Inc.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 23, 2021
Contact: Darrel Berry, Corporate Communications Manager
Hanson Professional Services Inc.
(217) 747-9291
dberry@hanson-inc.com
Coliseum renovation, Thoele win ASCE section awards
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois State Fairgrounds Coliseum renovation and Jared Thoele, P.E., S.E., a structural engineer at Hanson Professional Services Inc.’s Springfield headquarters, were recognized Sept. 23 during the 96th Annual Meeting and Banquet for the American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE) Central Illinois Section.
The Coliseum renovation received the 2020 Project of the Year Award during the virtual event. Since its 1901 construction, the Coliseum has been a popular venue for fairgoers to watch horse shows, livestock competitions and, in its earlier years, events such as circuses and vaudeville performances. The 20th century structure has retained many of its original characteristics through the decades, but deterioration forced fair officials to close the 120-year-old building in 2016. Hanson contributed structural, electrical and mechanical engineering services for the Coliseum’s renovation, which included replacing the shingled roofing system, wood roof deck and purlins, as well as strengthening selective primary structural components and replacing the arena’s clerestory windows. The new roofing system was selected to best mimic the appearance of the original roofing material within the project’s budget. The renovated Coliseum, renamed the Coliseum of Champions, reopened during the 2019 Illinois State Fair.
Jared Thoele, P.E., S.E.Thoele received the 2021 Young Civil Engineer of the Year Award, which recognizes civil engineers who are 35 years old or younger for demonstrated leadership potential and significant engineering contributions. Thoele, who joined Hanson in 2011, provides structural engineering, construction observation and bridge inspections for roadway and railroad projects across Illinois and the U.S. He is a member of the American Council of Engineering Companies and Illinois Society of Professional Engineers’ (ISPE) Capital Chapter. In 2018, he was named the Young Engineer of the Year by ISPE at the chapter and state levels.
ASCE is a professional organization and the oldest national engineering society in the United States. Founded in 1852, ASCE has more than 140,000 members worldwide.
Hanson is a national, employee-owned consulting firm providing engineering, planning and allied services. The firm’s corporate headquarters is located at 1525 S. Sixth St., Springfield, IL 62703. The office may be reached by phone at (217) 788-2450.
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