About the Governor's Proposal to Sell The Del Mar Fairgrounds:

Background, Value to the Community, and What You Can Do To Make Your Voice Heard

Skip to: How To Make Your Voice Heard

Background

In mid-May, 2009, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed the sale of many high-profile state-owned properties, one of which is the Del Mar Fairgrounds, to raise the cash needed to balance the state budget. The Governor's office cited the Del Mar Fairgrounds as having the greatest commercial potential, with a value estimated between $350 million and $650 million.

The Coalition to Save the Del Mar Fairgrounds is comprised of environmental groups, business owners, local chambers, trade associations, and concerned citizens who support saving the Del Mar Fairgrounds. We have joined together to oppose the Governor's recent proposal to sell the Fairgrounds. You can help by sending your views to your state representatives. Their contact information is listed below.

A Business Model That Works

• The 22nd District Agricultural Association owns and operates the Del Mar Fairgrounds and Horsepark under a business model that works.

• Established in 1936. No state money used to buy the grounds or build any of the buildings. The State of California does not own title to the Del Mar Fairgrounds. It is in the name of the 22nd District Agricultural Association.

• Self Funded — Zero tax dollars used to run the Fairgrounds.

• $400 million annual economic impact to San Diego County.

• 5,000 fulltime-equivalent jobs.

• 300 annual events — Opportunities for small business, entrepreneurs & charities.

• Designated Evacuation Site — Sanctuary for 2,000 people, 2,600 horses and hundreds of pets during the 2003 and 2007 wildfires.

• San Diego County Fair — 5th Largest in U.S. — Emphasis on Agriculture & Education. Provides opportunities for young people of Future Farmers of America, 4H, and the Grange to be involved in an agricultural enterprise and earn money for higher education.

• Don Diego Scholarship Fund — Since 1986, the Fund has awarded $513,000 in college scholarships and grants for agricultural education.

• San Diego County Fair awarded hundreds of industry awards for community outreach and quality programming.

• Del Mar Thoroughbred Racing — Best in the Country — Horse racing is a $2.5 billion industry for the State and creates 48,000 jobs statewide. The success of racing in California is dependent on Del Mar.

• Located in an environmentally sensitive area, a flood plain and flood way. Bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, the San Dieguito River to the south and Stevens Creek to the north. Borders the $100 million Southern California Edison Wetlands Restoration project. Home to the San Dieguito River Park nature and educational trail, and the beginning of the Coast to Crest Trail.

• $150 million in capital improvements since 1992 at zero taxpayer expense.

How You Can Make Your Opinion Heard 

Please contact your state representatives to let them know you want the Fairgrounds to continue to serve San Diego County and California as a major tourist attraction and economic impact generator. If you contact your representative via email, please copy us at info@sdfair.com.

How to determine which district you live in

Dennis Hollingsworth, California State Senate, 36th District
1870 Cordell Court, Suite 107, El Cajon 92020
Office: 619-596-3136, Fax: 951-676-1030, senator.hollingsworth@sen.ca.gov

Mark Wyland, California State Senate, 38th District
27126-A Paseo Espada, Suite 1621, San Juan Capistrano, 92675
Office: 949-489-9838, Fax: 760-931-2477, senator.wyland@sen.ca.gov

Christine Kehoe, California State Senate, 39th District
2445 5th Ave., Suite 200, San Diego, 92101
Office: 619-645-3133, Fax: 619-645-3144, senator.kehoe@sen.ca.gov

Denise Moreno Ducheny, California State Senate, 40th District
637 3rd Ave., Suite C, Chula Vista, 91910
Office: 619-409-7690, Fax: 619-409-7688, senator.ducheny@sen.ca.gov

Kevin Jeffries, California State Assembly, 66th District
41391 Kalmia St., Suite 220, Murrieta, 92562
Office: 951-894-1232, Fax: 951-894-1234, assemblymember.jeffries@assembly.ca.gov

Martin Garrick, California State Assembly, 74th District
1910 Palomar Point Way, Suite 106, Carlsbad, 92008
Office: 760-929-7998, Fax: 760-929-7999, assemblymember.garrick@assembly.ca.gov

Nathan Fletcher, California State Assembly, 75th District
9909 Mira Mesa Blvd., Suite 130, San Diego, 92131
Office: 858-689-6290, Fax: 858-689-6296, assemblymember.fletcher@assembly.ca.gov

Lori Saldaņa, California State Assembly, 76th District
1557 Columbia St., San Diego, 92101; Ph. (619) 645-3090
Office: 619-645-3090, Fax: 619-645-3094, assemblymember.saldana@assembly.ca.gov

Joel Anderson, California State Assembly, 77th District
500 Felser St., Suite 201, El Cajon, 92020
Office: 619-441-2322, Fax: 619-441-2327, assemblymember.anderson@assembly.ca.gov

Marty Block, California State Assembly, 78th District
7144 Broadway, Lemon Grove, 91945
Office: 916-319-2078, Fax: 619-462-0078, assemblymember.block@assembly.ca.gov

Mary Salas, California State Assembly, 79th District
678 Third Ave., Suite 105, Chula Vista, 91910
Office: 619-409-7979, Fax: 619-409-9270, assemblymember.salas@assembly.ca.gov