RES-10368 Support for Equestrian Center at tthe Orange County Fair and Event CenterRESOLUTION NO. 10368
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ORANGE REQUESTING SUPPORT
IN MAINTAINING THE EXISTING 7.5 ACRE
EQUESTRIAN CENTER AT THE ORANGE
COUNTY FAIR AND EVENT CENTER FOR
FUTURE GENERATIONS TO ENJOY.
WHEREAS, the Orange County Fair and Event Center (OCFEC) in Costa Mesa,
California is celebrating its 118th anniversary; and
WHEREAS, the 32nd District Agricultural Association, doing business as the
OCFEC, is a State entity within the Division of Fairs and Expositions, California Department
of Food and Agriculture; and
WHEREAS, the mission of the OCFEC IS Celebration of Orange County's
Communities, Interests and Heritage; and
WHEREAS, horses and livestock have always been an integral part of the history,
communities and heritage of Orange County, and equestrian activities have always been an
important component of the OCFEC; and
WHEREAS, in 1980, the 15 acres of the Orange County Fairgrounds Equestrian
Facility was constructed. In 2003, changes to the OCFEC's Master Plan resulted in the
removal of7.5 acres of the Equestrian Center with a loss of over 100 stalls: and
WHEREAS, the removal of the 7.5 acres significantly reduced the Equestrian
Center's ability to accommodate the relocation of large animals during an emergency in the
County. Complete elimination of the 7.5 acres would further reduce the number of available
locations in the County suited for emergency housing of large animals. The Fair's Master
Plan, adopted by the Board of Directors in 2003 called for the removal of 7.5 acres of the
Equestrian Center, with 7.5 acres to remain; and
WHEREAS, considering the substantial loss of stable facilities in Orange County,
there is a tremendous public benefit in preserving the existing 7.5 equestrian acres at the
OCFEC; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Fairgrounds Equestrian Center provides
irreplaceable public benefit to numerous local non-profit youth organizations,
including opportunities for disabled youth;
WHEREAS, it is the understanding of the City of Orange that the Orange County
Fair Board of Directors is actively considering the complete removal of the remaining 7.5
acres Equestrian Center.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of
Orange hereby supports the preservation of the existing 7.5 acre Equestrian Center at the
Orange County Fair and Event Center, opposes any action that would reduce the number of
available stalls and encourages the Orange County Fair Board and the equestrian community
to work together to preserve this vital resource.
ADOPTED this 28th day of April, 2009.
ATTEST:
I, MARY E. MURPHY, City Clerk of the City of Orange, California, do hereby
certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly adopted by the City Council of
the City of Orange at a regular meeting thereof held on the 28t day of April 2009, by the
following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
COUNCILMEMBERS: Smith, Murphy, Cavecche, Bilodeau
COUNCILMEMBERS: None
COUNCILMEMBERS: Dumitru
COUNCILMEMBERS: None