$1.5 MILLION TO AID NEW FAIRGROUNDS.

Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer

LANCASTER - In keeping with a 1999 commitment, the Legislature's Joint Committee on Fairs Allocation and Classification approved $1.5 million to go toward the relocation of a satellite wagering facility to the new Antelope Valley Fairgrounds.

The funding allocation is the third in a four-year commitment to provide a total of $4 million toward relocating the building from the existing fairgrounds in central Lancaster to the new fairgrounds west of the Antelope Valley Freeway.

``This brings us another step closer to building a new fairgrounds in the Antelope Valley for families in the community to enjoy,'' said Assemblyman George Runner, R-Lancaster, a member of the committee.

Fair and city of Lancaster officials are working on a plan to get construction of the new fairgrounds back on track after bids in April came in well over the anticipated $12 million price tag. City and fair officials said they were surprised and disappointed that contractors' bids ranged between $14.6 million and $17.4 million.

``We're trying to adjust the project to fit within the budget,'' said Lancaster City Engineer Neil Hudson. ``We're trying to work it out to get things moving.''

A revised construction plan is expected to be presented to the Lancaster City Council in July.

Buildings planned for the first phase of the new fairgrounds include a new watch-and-wager satellite betting building, two main exhibit halls, a show arena, livestock barns, and a grandstand capable of handling 7,000 people.

City and fair officials plan to add a 85,000-square-foot horse arena that can be converted for other uses, including ice hockey. Last spring, California voters approved a $2.1 billion parks bond measure that specifically earmarked $4.25 million for the construction of the horse arena.

The city and the fair board have been working since 1991 to move the fairgrounds from the current 75-acre site at Division Street and Avenue I to a 135-acre site between avenues G and H, west of the Antelope Valley Freeway.

Purchased with proceeds from a hay auction in 1938, the existing site is deemed too small and is hemmed in by homes and businesses.

Under an October 1999 agreement, the city will build a new fairgrounds in exchange for receiving the existing fairgrounds. The existing fairgrounds will be bulldozed, with the exception of Challenger Hall and Yucca Center. Those two buildings will be retained and used for city parks and recreation programs.

City officials envision the rest of the fairgrounds will be sold for the construction of single-family homes.