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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 July 2, 2004 Expo amphitheater gets a break County will kick in the $1.7 million — part of it a loan — to finish the project By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Jackson County commissioners agreed Thursday to finance the $1.7 million needed to finish the Expo Center’s 5,900-seat amphitheater through a loan and other contributions. "That’s the maximum," said Commissioner Sue Kupillas. "We’re hoping it could be less than that." The Fair Foundation appealed to commissioners to help finance the rest of the $4 million facility, or call a halt to construction that was only 40 percent completed. Under the grant agreement, the Fair Foundation would pay back $900,000, but would receive an outright $550,000 from the sale of property and a $250,000 reimbursement for a transportation study, sound analysis, building fees and planning. Kupillas said the donations that have amounted to about $2.3 million so far were more for the building of the amphitheater, not the unexpected and extensive studies and reports that have been required by government agencies. Advertisement "It was entirely justified for the county to come up with the money to cover the costs," she said. In addition, commissioners decided that the sale of a 1.9-acre property adjacent to the fairgrounds could be used to help offset part of the $1.7 million. Kupillas said she agonized over her decision for several days, citing the county’s need to save money to create a rainy-day fund in case about $22 million in federal timber subsidy revenues is cut in 2007. She said commissioners were also mindful of the donations made by Jackson County businesses and residents to build the amphitheater. Commissioners didn’t want to see the project come to a halt because it would cost up to $60,000 to restart it later on, some county officials estimated. "We don’t want to see that kind of investment just sit there," said Kupillas. "We wanted to step up and make sure this gets completed." Commissioners promised close scrutiny of expenditures on the amphitheater, issuing payments only after work gets done. "It sounds like we’re going to have close monitoring of their expenses," said Commissioner Dave Gilmour. Leigh Johnson, president of the Jackson County Fair Board and Friends of the Fair Foundation, said the original estimates of $3 million to build the amphitheater had increased because of hikes in construction materials such as concrete and steel. The fair also didn’t anticipate it would have to spend $250,000 for various studies, he said. And the extra set of restrooms is costing another $300,000, he said. Future pledges and a $3 surcharge on ticket sales will be used to pay off the fair’s debt to the county. Johnson didn’t think the infusion of money would detract from fund-raising efforts. "I don’t think it will take the oomph out of it," he said. Expo fund-raising effort will continue Fund-raising efforts to build the Jackson County Expo Center amphitheater will continue despite the decision by Jackson County commissioners to fund the remainder of the project. About $2.3 million has been raised so far through business and individual donations. The fund-raising effort started in 2000 when Lithia Motors gave $500,000 to get the official Lithia Motors Amphitheater title. In March 2003, a contribution of $225,000 was made by Radio Medford on behalf of the Nathanson Family Foundation. The Jeld-Wen Foundation also gave a $200,000 donation. For more information on how to give a donation, call 774-8270. 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