LATEST NEWS
October 2, 2023
49ers study shows benefits of public-private stadium deals
Sitting in his sunlit office, Al Guido, President of the San Francisco 49ers, felt vindicated. “We’ve proven our business case here,” Guido told Front Office Sports. “From a mathematical perspective, I don’t think you can look at this stadium as it relates to the 49ers or the city or, frankly, the larger region and say that this wasn’t a tremendous success in the first 10 years.”
- In nearly a decade since Levi’s Stadium opened, the venue has generated over $2B for the local economy.
- NFL’s appeal drives public financing trends for new stadiums despite critics.
April 15, 2023
Guest editorial: Proposal for Ventura County Fairgrounds was more than fair
My name is Phil Foster Ranger and I am the great grandson of E.P. and Orpha Foster, the pioneering couple who established our county park system, built the Avenue School, the Foster Library and City Hall – and in 1909 gifted Seaside Public Park to the county of Ventura for community pleasure, recreation, and entertainment “in perpetuity.”
April 12, 2023
Letter to the editor: Need for fairgrounds overhaul
Re: your April 10 story, “Reports on fair grandstands push plans into high gear”:
As I read this article, I could not help but notice that the engineering firm that was contracted to conduct the Physical Assessment of the Ventura County Fairgrounds was a San Diego firm. One of the key arguments that has been voiced against the PSG proposal was the concern over non-local agencies taking away jobs from local firms. In reviewing PSG’s proposal, it is quite clear that theirs is a locally driven project. I would like to know why the VC Fairgrounds CEO /Board were not able to work with local engineering firms. What other contracts will they be outsourcing?
April 10, 2023
Reports point to possible safety hazards at Ventura County Fair grandstands; repairs planned
Driven by two reports citing possible safety hazards, Ventura County Fairgrounds officials said they are fast-tracking repairs to 196os-built grandstands in an arena that hosts car races, rodeos and concerts.
March 6, 2023
Prosecutors allege $572,020 burglary at Ventura County Fair involved an insider
The break-in and theft of $572,020 at the Ventura County Fair in August revolved around an insider who worked at the fairgrounds for the company that processed cash receipts, prosecutors alleged Monday.
March 3, 2023
4 arrested in Ventura County Fairgrounds burglary case; $518K stolen
Four Los Angeles County men have been arrested in connection with the theft of more than $500,000 at the Ventura County Fair in August.
February 23, 2023
Letters to the editor: Fairgrounds proposal deserves fair shake; public safety take wrong
Fair hearing for Fairgrounds plan
In the late 1990s I recall meeting then-Ventura City Manager Donna Landeros for lunch.
As she arrived, I could tell she was agitated so I asked her what was wrong. She told me that the survey of city residents had been completed and 9 out of 10 Ventura residents had agreed with the statement: “I like everything the way it is in Ventura and do not want anything to change.”
February 6, 2023
Letters to the editor: Kirk spreads disinformation; support for Fairgrounds stadium
Benefits of minor league stadium
Re: Arlene Martinez’s Jan. 31 guest column, “Fairgrounds stadium is off-base”:
I read Ms. Martinez’s guest column and could not disagree more.
Last summer I trekked across Southern California to see the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. I saw a stadium full of families, Little League baseball players, teens and young adults on date night, and seniors, all enjoying the game. The parking was easy and accessible and a very enjoyable experience. I later stopped in the area for food and gas as I was leaving. This was all done much more cheaply than heading to Dodger Stadium and trying to park in the area.
February 4, 2023
Letters to the editor: Fairgrounds stadium is a home run; curtailing police stops
Re: Arlene Martinez’s Jan. 31 guest column, “Fairgrounds stadium is off-base”:
Ms. Martinez’s column opposing the much-needed Ventura County Fairgrounds redevelopment proposal is off-base and misleading. She correctly points out that publicly funded single-use sports stadiums are an economic drain not a benefit.
February 4, 2023
Short-handed, long-serving fair board unlikely to gain new members, history suggests
The volunteers who serve on the Ventura County Fairgrounds board of directors hold their seats until they resign, are replaced or die.
Jim Salzer, rock concert promoter and longtime Ventura music store owner, was appointed to the fair board in 2011 and served until he died three years ago at the age of 78. The seat remains vacant.
December 23, 2022
Pacific Coast Business Times
New firm wants to play ball at VC Fairgrounds
Baseball could be returning to Ventura, brought on by an entire revamp of the Ventura County Fairgrounds.
Founded by Los Angeles lawyer Robert Young, Pacific Sports Group is a firm that has its eyes set on completely updating the Ventura County Fairgrounds by 2029, with a plan that would cost an estimated $319.8 million.
December 8, 2022
VC Reporter
Play ball?
Fairgrounds redevelopment proposal could “bring baseball back to Ventura County”
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