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69 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, August 30, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend June 30, 2004 The partially completed amphitheater at the county Expo grounds is in need of a cash infusion of $1.7 million if construction is to continue. Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli Amphitheater funds fall short County commissioners appear willing to pay the $1.7 million needed to complete Expo project By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Construction of an amphitheater at the Jackson County Expo could come to a halt next week unless the county comes up with the $1.7 million needed to complete the project. Members of the county Board of Commissioners said Tuesday they are prepared to provide the financing. "This is an investment that will help everybody in this county," said Commissioner Jack Walker. Commissioner Dave Gilmour agreed. "We have to keep this project going, especially at this point," he said. Advertisement Fair officials made their case with commissioners Tuesday, saying that if the money to finish the amphitheater isn’t available, events planned for next season would be in jeopardy. The Fair Foundation found itself in a money pinch after a $500,000 economic development grant recently fell through and because donations — the primary source of funding — haven’t come in fast enough. In addition, the project’s costs have risen to $4 million, about $750,000 more than initially thought, because of increased costs and added amenities, including the building of extra bathrooms. To date, the Fair Foundation has received about $2 million in donations and has pledges it expects to receive in the coming year. Dave Kanner, deputy county administrator, said that a delay could cost an extra $30,000 to $60,000 to restart the project. "Is the cost of stopping the project worth it?" he asked. While the commissioners appeared willing to provide the extra money, they expressed reservations about doing that when other projects are also pending. Gilmour cited rebuilding the Wimer Bridge as one such project, and said the county couldn’t count on being repaid for the amphitheater quickly. "We need to go into this with the expectation that the money won’t be coming back soon," he said. The commissioners, who could vote on the proposal later this week, would get the money for the amphitheater from the proceeds of the $7.6 million for the sale of the Miles Field property to Wal- Mart. Because of legal technicalities, the county can’t loan the money to the Fair Foundation, but could give an outright grant. Leigh Johnson, president of the Jackson County Fair Board and Friends of the Fair Foundation, said, however, that the money would be paid back over time through pledges and from a $3 ticket surcharge at events. Adroit Construction of Ashland has told fair officials it can continue to work only until next week unless it receives some assurance that it will receive payment for its work. Johnson said the Fair Foundation has changed the contract, asking for things like an extra building for more bathrooms. "We just can’t just keep piecemealing things together with the contractor," he said. The amphitheater is about 40 percent finished with about four months left before expected completion. Johnson, responding to potential criticism about whether this project is more worthy than others, said, "I suppose that anyone could make that argument, whether you’re talking about the Wimer Bridge, the Greenway or Lily Glen. But for these there is no way for a payback (to the county)." He also said some may argue that the Fair Foundation should have waited longer before starting the project, in order to get more donations in hand. But, he said, the longer the project was delayed, the more it would cost, noting that steel and concrete prices have soared in recent months. The project is already more than two years behind what the foundation had hoped for, he noted. After hearing the commissioners’ assurances Tuesday, Expo Director Chris Borovansky said he would tell Adroit Construction that he expects the county will come through with the money. "We’re all going to be betting on the come," he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities