The OC Fair & Events will be getting a facelift over the next decade, starting with a $25 million expansion to its administration building.
The $229 million, eight-phase plan to update the fairgrounds, which host the 23-day summer fair and other events year round, include a new barn, a greenhouse, better seating in its entertainment areas and more.
“We find ourselves at this time in need of expanding our education programs, our entertainment options, cultural options (and) how we serve the community. Providing the proper facilities for that is really important,” OC Fair & Events CEO Michele Richards said.
The fairground’s board expects to pay for a majority the renovations with revenue made from parking, rentals, tickets and admissions to the yearly fair and other events. A final two phases could possibly require outside financing.
Richards said that although the administrative building is not public facing, the fair board decided to move that project forward first to make room for employees who will be displaced by future developments. Phase one will add more than 15,000 square feet of additional workspace, meeting rooms, storage areas and restrooms, with additional security features as well.
“In order for us to build out in other areas of the property, we’re going to end up dislocating employees, so we want to bring most of our employees under one roof for efficiency,” Richards said. “That will free up some of the areas where those employees are now, so that we can build the agriplex, for example.”
Then would start the projects the public will enjoy, including a new Century Barn at the Centennial Farm, expanded exhibit buildings, added public restrooms, upgrades to the Pacific Amphitheatre and Action Sports Arena and the new agriplex, which will provide an educational place for livestock shows.
The phases of projects planned were organized based on size, with larger projects saved for last. The fair board will review and approve each phase as…
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