In January 1998 the original bucking chutes in the coliseum were replaced with new steel chutes and alleys. The cost was $23,600.

In 1998, Nelson Memorial was refurbished and painted. New blinds were installed, along with a new stove, refrigerator and PA system. Cost of these improvements was $10,000.

In January 1999, the roof on the sheep and swine barn was replaced at a cost of $214,000. The heating system for the office and restrooms was repaired at a cost of $1,500. Estimates were obtained to sand blast, prime and paint the ceiling inside the barn. The original estimate was $128,000. Work has been put on hold pending availability of funds.

In January 2000 bids were opened to replace coliseum windows and clean the outside of the coliseum. Work was completed September 2001 at a cost of $1.5 million. Landscaping around the coliseum is planned next.

The John M. Parker Agricultural Center and facilities encompass some 25 acres adjoining the LSU campus. The annual Spring Livestock Show and Rodeo is, of course, the best utilizer of our arenas, barns, and related services. We will host approximately 3,500 4-H/FFA exhibitors who have qualified at the district shows to compete at the state level. They will exhibit approximately 2000 head of 4-H/FFA beef, 400 head of 4-H/FFA dairy, 700 head of 4-H/FFA sheep, 1400 head of hogs and 3,000 chickens during the week of the Junior Livestock Show.

The Louisiana Quarter Horse Association hold its two state shows in the complex each year.  The Dixie Jubilee Horse show is held annually and calls this home. Other major horse shows include the Big Easy and the Deep South Peruvian horse shows. The 4-H FFA state horse show, along with district horse show are held each July.

About 30 events at the facility are sponsored by the LSU AgCenter Cooperative Extension Service totaling 200 days in use and involving nearly 500,000 persons. There are also approximately 250 events at the facility not directly sponsored by the Cooperative Extension Service. They involve some 300 days and an estimated 150,000 persons. Total building use in 1997 (Nelson Memorial, Mini Farm, Sales Arena, Poultry Barn, Arena II and Coliseum) was 485 days. The number of days in use is from multiple activities on the same day. In 2000, there was something going on at John M. Parker complex more than 45 weekends of the year.

This year celebrates the 65th anniversary for John M. Parker Coliseum, and the 2002 Junior Livestock Show will be the 66th.

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