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L/RAIN Temp: 48 °F Wind: WNW at 8 mph Tuesday, April 1, 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 26, 2003 Donations bring Expo amphitheater closer to goal By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Community members have donated $235,000 recently to help pay for construction of a new amphitheater at the Jackson County Expo in Central Point. The Jeld-Wen Foundation alone gave $200,000 to the Lithia Motors Amphitheater fund-raising campaign. The $3 million, 5,800-seat amphitheater, which could be built by the end of this year, now needs about $800,000 to fully fund the project, according to Leigh Johnson, president of the Jackson County Fair Board and Friends of the Fair Foundation. Fair organizers hope to hold a groundbreaking ceremony in May or June for the state-of-the-art facility that will provide another venue for outdoor entertainment in Jackson County. Ralph Green, general manager of AmeriTitle in Medford (part of the Jeld-Wen family), said the amphitheater will benefit Jackson County. "The economic impact and tourist attraction will be a significant boost to our area," he said. Two other donations were received. Bob and Karen Johnson, a Central Point couple, have given $25,000 toward the project. "The project has been 10 years in the making and it’s time to get it built," said Bob Johnson, a longtime member of the fair board. A $10,000 contribution has been received by Olive Lansburgh, who dedicated the donation to the memory of her late husband, Academy Award winner Larry Lansburgh. Olive Lansburgh, board secretary of the fair foundation and a member of the Amphitheater Campaign Steering Committee, said the project "will be the shining jewel of the valley." Her husband, who died in 2001, worked for Disney Studios as cameraman, producer and director. Leigh Johnson said it is encouraging to get so many donations, considering the current economic climate. He said amphitheater supporters had hoped for about $500,000 from Oregon economic development money to help build the project. But, with the current state budget crisis, organizers aren’t counting on it. "Right now it’s hard to determine the commitment that economic development will be able to make," he said. If the amphitheater doesn’t receive enough donations or funding, Johnson said the fair could scale back on some of its features, including the construction of 10 sky boxes. The foundation is also conducting a "Buy-A-Brick" campaign. For information, call the fair at 774-8274. 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