The OC Fair & Events Center is in ownership turmoil. Will the state really sell it? Who’s gonna buy it? But then there’s the fair itself. “For all of the hullabaloo, this has been demonstrably the best year in the history of the fair,” CEO Steve Beazley says. Attendance was 1.15 million, revenue was $17.2 million, both records. Profits are projected at $3.5 million or more, another possible record. The Pacific Amphitheatre sold out nine of its 24 concerts and sold 75% of its seats in all, earning the top spot on Venue Today’s national ranking of venues with 5,000 to 10,000 seats. The fairgrounds in June hosted the prestigious Barrett Jackson classic car auction—$300,000-plus for the center and national exposure—and Beazley says talks are beginning on a multiyear agreement: “They’ll be back.” Uncertain, as reported last week by Sherri Cruz, is the Maloof Money Cup skateboarding contest, which the fairgrounds has hosted for its first three years. Beazley says he believes the fairgrounds could keep that attraction, too, if the ownership questions get resolved. Beazley says he and the much-maligned fair board, officially known as the 32nd District Agricultural Association, have a good shot at remaining in charge. He doesn’t think the Legislature will bless Gov. Arnold’s proposed $96 million sale of the property to the city of Costa Mesa and an investment group. And the board, which has hired the Manatt law firm, “makes a compelling case” that it, not Sacramento, owns the site. Lawyers could have a field day with this one before it’s over. If the board prevails and gains more autonomy from the state, Beazley, a 36-year fair veteran, says he’ll match the entrepreneurial spirit of the fairground’s private suitors, but with more know-how: “I philosophically believe the best model is a nonprofit model” …
In town: Newt and Callista Gingrich, Friday at the Nixon Library …
Kenny Lee, 41, who died in a diving accident Sept. 12 at Fisherman’s Cove in north Laguna Beach, was “a gifted structural engineer” noted for his “humor, infectious smile, intellect and professionalism,” said his boss, Dan Heinfield, president of LPA in Irvine. LPA has set up a scholarship fund for Lee’s two daughters …
“Inside Edition” anchor Deborah Norville said fun-loving Don Koll “almost laughs off the wheelchair.” With Koll’s wife Kathi at his side, the real estate legend was immobile but grinning throughout a three-hour tribute dinner that drew a star-studded crowd of 700 to the Irvine Marriott and raised $1 million for the Boy Scouts. Besides the presence of celebs, pols and a who’s who of real estate, there were congratulatory letters from President George W. Bush, Prince Charles, Nancy Reagan and Titanic discover Robert Ballard, and a stirring talk by former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist. There were moist eyes by the time closing singer Ron Tomsic, an OC developer and Koll’s Stanford frat buddy, crooned, “Don Koll did it his way.”
