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Doors still closed on events site I would like to know if any efforts have ever been undertaken by the city or county to explore the possibility of building a multipurpose arena or special events center in Medford. The Rogue Valley would greatly benefit from a facility that could seat up to several thousand for concerts and sports events. -- Rich R., Ashland A lot of exploring has been done, and several efforts are under way to transform them into reality. The closest to fruition is an outdoor amphitheater that could accommodate 5,000 people for concerts and other events at the Jackson County Exposition Park in Central Point. The 1999 Legislature set aside $500,000 in lottery proceeds for it, but matching contributions will be required to cover the rest of the cost. A multipurpose arena also is envisioned for the Expo Park, but manager Chris Borovansky said it will require some type of public financing subject to voter approval. "We are probably a couple of years away from having an arena," he said. "But there is still a great interest in it. We are one of the few communities of our size in the country that does not have one. We have events that are not coming to our community because we do not have one." A conference center, hotel and parking structure are envisioned for Medford in a 1994 plan prepared by Hyett-Palma Inc. of Alexandria, Va., for the Medford Urban Renewal Agency. The site is bounded by Bear Creek on the east, Bartlett Street on the west, Fourth Street on the north and Sixth Street on the south. For now, however, Lithia Dodge is on the west side of Riverside Avenue, which divides the site, and the Red Lion Hotel is on the east side. (Send your questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; or by fax to (541) 776-4376; or by e-mail to: [email protected] Please include your name, address and phone number for verification.) Today's News Index Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA