MAP POINTS TO NEW FAIRGROUNDS; ARENA, RACETRACK AMONG SITES INCLUDED IN CONCEPTUAL PLAN.Byline: Jim Skeen Daily News Staff Writer A 6,500-seat arena, and an auto-racing track, RV park and equestrian center would be among the highlights of a new fairgrounds n. pl. 1. same as fairground. , according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. a conceptual master plan unveiled Monday. The arena would be located just west of the Antelope Valley Freeway The Antelope Valley Freeway is a freeway in Los Angeles and Kern counties in southern California. It is signed as California State Highway 14 along its length. It connects Greater Los Angeles to the rapidly developing Antelope Valley. , and would host all kinds of events - from hockey games to tractor pulls, officials said. Lancaster officials even are discussing whether a minor league hockey team could be brought in as a tenant. The new fairgrounds would occupy about 190 acres of city land just west of the freeway, and between avenues H and G-8. It would replace the 77-acre facility that opened 59 years ago at Division Street and Avenue I, which the fair has outgrown. ``The first priority is doing a footprint of where the buildings will go,'' said Dan Jacobs, manager of the fairgrounds. The map puts the arena and the 5/8-mile oval racetrack near the freeway, where they could be seen by passing motorists. The facilities also would provide a buffer to keep freeway dust and noise away from the rest of the fairgrounds, officials said. A building that would serve as an administration headquarters and a watch-and-wager facility would go up along Avenue H early in the process. Other major features include a 119-space RV park at 30th Street West and Avenue G-8, which also would have a clubhouse, a `tot lot', and a pool. To the southeast of the RV park the map shows an equestrian area with 150 horse stalls, two equestrian arenas and warm-up areas. ``This is a conceptual map. This is not cast in bronze Cast in Bronze is a traveling carillon, consisting of 35 cast bronze bells, played by Frank DellaPenna with fists and feet. The total weight of the instrument is 4 tons. ,'' said Lancaster Mayor Frank Roberts Frank Roberts may refer to:
A 1994 consultant's report estimated a new fairgrounds would cost $71 million, but officials say the figure is too high. A new consultant - Economics Research Associates - has been hired to provide more reliable cost projections and suggestions on ways to raise revenue. Economics Research Associates has developed master plans and economic studies for the Orange County Fair Orange County Fair may refer to any of several large fairs throughout the United States.
Fair officials also are determining whether federal, state or county funding would be available for the project. Lancaster's 1997-98 budget includes nearly $4.6 million for street construction and the addition of sewer and water lines around the new fairgrounds. That work will benefit both the new fairgrounds and a warehouse and distribution center for the Michaels crafts store chain that will be built immediately west of the new fairgrounds site. Plans also call for the new fairgrounds to hold concerts and sporting events year-round in addition to the 11-day Antelope Valley Fair and Alfalfa alfalfa (ălfăl`fə) or lucern (l  sûn`), perennial leguminous plant (Medicago sativa Festival held each summer.
CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: (color) Lancaster Mayor Frank Roberts talks about the new Antelope Valley Fairgrounds to be located west of the Antelope Valley Freeway. Hans Gutknecht/Daily News |
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