1958 – In March, a new concourse, main entrance, canopy, and enclosing the grandstand with glass was completed.

1959 – Gus Fonner passed away.

1962 – A mezzanine was added to the grandstand.

1962 to 1968 – The seven additional barns were constructed.

1965 – 100 ft. was added to the south end of the grandstand. I extended the grandstand and added a new paddock, jockey’s quarters, first aid station, general offices, and inside rail.

1966 – New paddocks, jockey quarters, and general offices were added.

1970 – Big Red Barn was built, followed by a clubhouse, grandstand seating, an indoor quarter-mile training track, and other amenities.

1972 – Fonner Park Clubhouse was added – the first in the State.

1975 – An electronic tote board was added.

1976 – Completed Clubhouse addition and new third-level Skyline addition.

1978 – In February, Fonner Park celebrated its 25th anniversary. In November, Sunday racing was sought. Senator Ralph Kelly and the ministers of Grand Island led a petition drive against it. Trinity United Methodist Church was against Sunday racing. Al Swihart promised to print a page in the Saturday racing form of all Grand Island churches, their times of worship services, and addresses.

1979 – In March 1979, Fonner Park started to have Sunday races for the first time. Mr. and Mrs. B.L. Thompson donated $100,000 toward the building of Thompson 4-H Arena. Fonner traded Tuesday racing for Sunday and added 1,543 new box and grandstand seats.

1980 – In April, the jockeys walk out on operations because of the “unfit” track surface. While on May, the Grand Island voters rejected the continuation of Sunday racing by a vote of 4,183 against 3,079. In October, Hall County Livestock Improvement Association filed a lawsuit claiming the City’s right to vote on Sunday racing issue was unconstitutional. Lancaster Co. District Court Judge William Blue ruled in favor of the state law allowing cities to prohibit Sunday racing by-elections. Fonner Park had no immediate plans to appeal.

1981 – In February, customers were introduced to a new form of wagering. The Legislature passed LB 136, which changed the State’s Sunday racing law. A countywide vote can now be held to determine the future of Sunday racing. In April, Fonner reached its first $1,000,000 mutuel handle in a day.

1982 – In July, Fonner Park tentatively planned to build onto the clubhouse, providing seating for 370 more spectators.

1983 – The upper level of the clubhouse was added. In February, Al Swihart, General Manager, passed away. In March, Hugh Miner, Jr., was appointed General Manager of Fonner Park. In November, Construction began on the 4-H Building and Cafe.

1984 – In January, the New 4-H Building and Cafe was completed. The Concourse mural was completed in the following Month (February).

1985 – 1/2 mile training track and the 180 Stall Barn “R” were established. In December, Fonner Park introduces trifecta wagering.

1986 – The New racing office complex was constructed. In July, Fonner Park planted 250 trees, installed a two-railed white fence around the property border, and completed the new office building. Over 400 people gathered at Fonner Park to pick up petitions in August. 1,891 signatures are needed by September 1 to put on the election ballot. 7,000 signatures were collected to put the issue of Sunday racing at Fonner Park on the November ballot. While on October, The Grand Island Ministerial Alliance came out against Sunday racing.

1987 – A new four-lane driveway was added to Fonner Park via South Locust Street.

1988 – A new Turf Club started to construct. In February, Nationwide simulcasting became available at Fonner Park. Fonner Park hosts 362 days of simulcasting each year. In May, Fonner added a new Fontana Safety Rail with “gooseneck” uprights, resurfaced the track, and banked the turns. Added the Fonner Park “message center” on South Locust. 

1989 – In March, the Turf Club opened.

1991 – New General Offices and an Executive suite were completed.

1992 – In December, Fonner was designated to operate the Hall County Keno lottery.

1993 – Fonner Keno and Simulcasting Center were added.

1994 – In February, Barn “K” was tragically burned down. Thirty-five thoroughbred racehorses and one pony died in the fire.

1995 – In March, Horse owners filed $610,000 worth of fire claims. In July, Fonner Park changed from a “stockholder” organization to a “membership” organization. In October, Fonner explored expanding gaming options.

2002 – Emma (Fonner) Corey passed away.

2004 – On December 10, construction began on the Heartland Events Center.

2006 – In August, Heartland Events Center opened with the first concerts for the Hall County Fair.

2009 – In July, the construction of over a half million square feet of buildings commenced in preparation for the relocation of the Nebraska State Fair from Lincoln. The Fonner Park soccer fields were relocated to land in north Grand Island near the Nebraska Veterans Home.

2006 – The Fonner Park Exposition and Events Center, Inc. d/b/a the Heartland Events Center opened its doors at Fonner Park, providing a 6,000-seat arena with an attached 8,000 sq. ft. conference center.

2010 – In August, the Nebraska State Fair relocated to Grand Island from Lincoln. The NSF takes possession of the Fonner Park grounds for 60 days each year, and Fonner Park becomes Nebraska State Fair Park. The fair lasts eleven days, starting in late August and ending on Labor Day each year. Fonner Park owns the property and is responsible for the upkeep of all buildings.

2012 – In June, a partnership between Fonner Park, the Nebraska State Fair, and Five Points Bank was formed to rename the Livestock Arena to the Five Points Bank Arena.

2013 – Construction began in May in the Nebraska Building/Nebraska State Fair offices. In July, a partnership between Fonner Park, the Nebraska State Fair, and Pinnacle Bank was formed to rename the Expo Center to the Pinnacle Bank Expo Center.

2014 – The Nebraska Building was opened.

2015 – In March, four community partners, including Fonner Park, the Nebraska State Fair, the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce, and the Grand Island/Hall County Convention and Visitors Bureau, joined together to create the Grand Island Livestock Complex Authority (GILCA). It is an organization to market and promote the year-round use of the State Fair livestock buildings at Fonner Park. In June, Hugh Miner, Jr., retires after 45 years of service. July welcomes Bruce Swihart to become the new CEO of Fonner Park.

2016 – A herpes virus outbreak on April 17 defined Fonner Park’s live race meet. The Thompson Arenas were upgraded with assistance from the Nebraska State Fair Foundation and renamed Thompson Foods Outdoor Arena. In October, the existing Fonner Park sign on Stolley Park Road was replaced with an updated one for Fonner Park, Heartland Events Center, and Nebraska State Fair.

2017 – Notable new events at Fonner Park include Rodeo Grand Island and SkillsUSA. The existing Director’s Room was renovated and renamed the Triple Crown Room. New signs were placed in the infield recognizing yearly corporate sponsors. The Aksarben Stock Show, Quiz Bowl, and Purple Ribbon Auction held their first annual events at Fonner Park. Issues escalated with the HBPA and NE Thoroughbred Breeders, and legal counsel was retained.

2018 – In February, a partnership between Fonner Park, the Nebraska State Fair, and Aurora Cooperative was formed to rename the Swine Arena to the Aurora Cooperative Pavilion. A partnership between Fonner Park, the Nebraska State Fair, and Tom Dinsdale Automotive was also formed to rename the Cattle Barn to the Tom Dinsdale Automotive Cattle Barn. Moreover, major sanitary sewer line repairs were completed at the direction of the City of GI in the same year. An equine warm-up arena was constructed west of the Aurora Coop Pavilion. April 19 marked the untimely death of Todd Otto, a long-time employee of Fonner Park.

2019 – An area in the Skyline was upgraded with bar service, lighting, pub tables, and chairs and was renamed the Skyline Pub. Fonner lost one weekend of racing in March for the first time due to inclement weather. On April 7, a new record attendance of 11,000+ was hit. Ostrich and camel races were held for the first time. Bruce Swihart, CEO of Fonner Park and the Heartland Events Center retires on July 31 after 43 years of service. Chris Kotulak was named CEO of Fonner Park and the Heartland Events Center on August 1.

2020 – On March 16, 2020, live racing at Fonner Park was suspended due to health and safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is one of the few tracks that continued to operate behind closed doors. They resumed their operation on March 23, with races moving from weekends to a Monday–Wednesday schedule, with only essential personnel at the track and additional safety protocols. On April 22, the Nebraska Racing Commission approved the addition of 12 additional days of racing in May, extending Fonner Park’s season through May 27, 2020. On November 3, 2020, Nebraska voters overwhelmingly approved casino gaming by passing three separate ballot initiatives to allow games of chance in the State. The legislation limits games of chance to occur only at licensed racetrack enclosures.