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CLOUDY Temp: 36 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Wednesday, April 2, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend March 13, 2003 Expo project gets $225,000 boost By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune CENTRAL POINT — Plans to build an amphitheater at the Jackson County Expo got another boost this week when Radio Medford donated $225,000 toward the $3 million project. "With the Craterian, Britt and Shakespeare festival, we have a wonderful collection of entertainment venues," said Ron Hren, vice president and general manager of the radio station group. "This is another jewel for our area." The donation from the Nathanson Family Foundation, which comprises owners of Radio Medford, is the second major contribution toward the project. The first was $500,000 from Lithia Motors in September 2000. The 5,800-seat Lithia Motors Amphitheater, which could be built by the end of this year, now needs another $818,450 to fully fund the project. The Jackson County Planning Commission approved the Jackson County Expo and Fairgrounds’ permit that paves the way for construction of the amphitheater. Hren, whose company took over six local radio stations last year, said the amphitheater will benefit both the community and his company. "As Medford grows, our company will grow as well," he said. For its donation, Radio Medford will have its logos posted during events at the amphitheater, and there will be a section of the lawn area reserved for the company. Leigh Johnson, president of the Friends of the Fair Foundation, said his organization is thrilled with the latest contribution that will allow groundbreaking to take place in May or June. "We have enough to get started on," he said. "We’re pretty well down the road and delighted with the partnership with Central Point and the county." But fund-raising efforts will continue in the coming months to make sure there is enough money for the project. Johnson said the first concert will be held sometime in 2004. Fair officials are hoping to feature an act like the rock group Santana to open the venue to the public. Fair officials hope the amphitheater will provide a better financial cushion for the organization, which had a profit of $100,000 last year from a $1.8 million budget. After the amphitheater is complete, they expect another $175,000 to $200,000 in profits annually. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S