OC Fair & Event Center Board of Directors Pledges to Halt Sale; Reaffirms Ownership of 150-Acre Facility
Costa Mesa, Calif. (March 24, 2011) – In today’s board meeting of the 32nd DAA (dba OC Fair & Event Center – OCFEC), the Board issued a policy statement reaffirming the 32nd DAA ownership of the OCFEC, pledging that it will take necessary steps to maintain the 150-acre facility as a publicly owned asset.
“The 32nd DAA is the owner of the OC Fair & Event Center,” the policy states. “As owners of the OC Fair & Event Center, the Board has authorized its legal counsel to initiate appropriate legal action including but not limited to intervention in the pending litigation, to prevent the sale of the fairgrounds as a public asset.”
The Board also announced several strategic partnerships & capital improvements to the property, including discussions with Barrett-Jackson for plans to build a permanent facility for the popular collector-car auction, a fortified partnership with the Costa Mesa Conference & Visitor Bureau and a public-private partnership to expand the Pacific Amphitheatre.
“The Board is focused on a strategic vision for the facility,” said David Ellis, Chairman of the Board. “Realizing that vision means building out the 2003 Master Plan and developing public-private partnerships so we can continue to provide world-class facilities, programs and events.”
Ellis added that the potential sale makes it difficult to move forward with facility improvements, the development of public-private partnerships and creates an air of uncertainty for our employees and the community.
“The OCFEC has proven itself to be successful as a public asset in the fulfillment of its mission to ‘Celebrate Orange County’s Communities, Interests, Agriculture and Heritage.’ We bring a unique blend of public accountability and private sector entrepreneurship to the management of this facility, which is reflected in the programs and events we have been providing to the public over the last 120 years. That is a tradition we believe is worth continuing,” said OCFEC Fair President & CEO Steven Beazley.
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 or follow us at Twitter.com/ocfair.