March 27, 2024
Board of Directors
Orange County Fair and Event Center (OCFEC)
88 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
RE: Agenda Item 9B – OPPOSE Stall Rental Rate Increase at OC Fairgrounds Equestrian Center
Dear Chairman Nick Kovacevich and OCFEC Board of Directors:
The Orange County Fairgrounds Equestrian Center is an important part of Orange County’s history as well as its future. This public facility, owned and operated by the state, offers a place where people of all backgrounds can enjoy horsemanship and an equestrian experience. Valuable programs like Changing Strides provide equine therapy for veterans, battered women, adults with mental challenges and at-risk youth throughout Orange County.
I would urge this Board to carefully evaluate calls for an increase before making a decision that threatens to close people out.
This is a public facility and agreeing to increases more than twice what is comparable at a private facility is cause for concern. As a state-run facility, the Orange County Fairgrounds Equestrian Center should make every effort to keep costs reasonable so all residents – no matter economic background – have an opportunity to enjoy an equestrian experience.
If the OC Fairgrounds Equestrian Center becomes the most expensive Equestrian Center in Southern California, the equestrians who rent stalls will not be able to offer programs to our underserved communities.
As I understand it, after 10 years of the Equestrian Center providing $100,000 annually in revenue to the fairgrounds, the new operator’s services resulted in a loss of more than $1,000,000. That is a shocking and drastic financial fall. I would urge the Board to revisit the cost for services and consider putting the management of the Equestrian Center out to a public bid through a “request for proposal” process.
I am confident the Board and staff is passionate about protecting and preserving the public’s connection to horses and the Equestrian Center, and I appreciate your consideration of my input on this matter on behalf of constituents of the 72nd Assembly District.
Sincerely,
