OC Fair & Event Center Successfully Moves WWII-Era Building for New Heroes Hall Veterans Museum

Costa Mesa, Calif. (April 27, 2016) – On Monday, April 25, the OC Fair & Event Center (OCFEC) took on a massive, all-day project to move an approximately 50,000-pound, 5,000-square-foot, two-story WWII-era building a half mile through the property to its permanent home for the new Heroes Hall veteran’s museum which will debut Veterans Day 2016.

The building will be used as the primary housing for the rotating exhibitions in the new Heroes Hall, a permanent, year-round attraction that will celebrate the legacy of the property’s Army roots plus Orange County veterans and others who served our nation through the sharing of veterans’ personal stories. Crews broke ground March 16 and the expected completion date is Veterans Day, November 11, 2016.

Long Beach-based Heavy Transport, a division of Bragg Investment Companies, used equipment similar to what was used to move the space shuttle Endeavor called a Scheuerle InterCombi SPE unit. Referred to as SPMTs (Self Propelled Modular Transport) trailers, the equipment can be operated remotely and wirelessly and has a payload of 476,000 pounds per unit with 360-degree steering capabilities.

Formerly called Memorial Gardens, the building was moved in 2013 from one end of the property to another location to make room for the new Pacific Amphitheatre lobby and Plaza Pacifica area. The building was previously used for monthly OCFEC Board of Directors meetings, special exhibits and office and storage space.

During World War II, the building was used for barracks when the OCFEC property was part of the 1,300-acre Santa Ana Army Air Base training facility. Also included in that region was land that now houses Orange Coast College, Vanguard University, Costa Mesa High School, Davis Elementary School, Tewinkle Park and several commercial and residential areas.

Next, crews will work on framing the interior and installing drywall and the pavers for the surrounding courtyard and walkways.

The OC Fair & Event Center has dedicated more than $3 million to build Heroes Hall, and the newly formed Heroes Hall Veterans Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, provides support and funding for the museum. For more information or to make a donation, visit ocfair.com/heroeshall.

The OC Fair & Event Center is located off the 405 and 55 freeways at 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa. For more information, please visit ocfair.com, become a fan on Facebook.com/OCFair, follow us at twitter.com/ocfair or call (714) 708-1500.