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It’s the biggest, is it the best?
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| H&N photo by Andrew Mariman Jerry Golden in the manager of the 65-acre Klamath County Fairgrounds. Last year, the fairgrounds hosted 389 events, bringing in more than 262,000 visitors. |
Fairgrounds hosts 389 events
By Ty Beaver
H&N Staff Writer
The Klamath County Fairgrounds is the largest, and likely most versatile venue, in town. Last year its grounds hosted 389 events, attracting more than 262,000 visitors.
Fairgrounds manager Jerry Golden says the 65-acre site doesn’t always have room to accommodate everyone who wants to host an event there.
“We’re booked solid a year out. We actually turn people away,” he said.
Though there’s a demand for the fairgrounds, some say its staff is difficult to work with, and others say its events don’t draw enough visitors and tourists.
But Golden and others who oversee the fairgrounds say they are working to bring in bigger events, and, to do so need more support from the community.
For plenty more, please pick up Tuesday' print edition of the Herald and News
The Klamath County Fairgrounds, operated by an appointed five-member board, is one of a few fairgrounds statewide to receive nearly half its operating budget from county transient room taxes.
Last year, the fairgrounds received $450,000 in revenue from the tax, nearly half its $1.1 million operating budget. Revenue from the 8 percent tax also goes to county museums and tourism promotion efforts.
The remainder of its budget comes from rental fees, donations, county fair revenues and state funding. It receives little to no county general fund money.
Taxpayer funding
Taxpayers directly funded construction of a 4,000-seat indoor arena — the John Hancock Event Center — when they passed a $4.5-million bond measure. The bond, which expires in 2010, costs property owners between 11 to 12 cents per $1,000 assessed value — about $16.50 to $18 a year for a $150,000 home.
Golden says the fairgrounds has hosted, on average, 100 more events a year since the facility was constructed. Among those were the high school rodeo state finals and a regional youth wrestling tournament.
Revenue from events last year drew $200,000. This year’s budget estimates a $10,000 increase.
Fairgrounds manager Jerry Golden says the 65-acre site doesn’t always have room to accommodate everyone who wants to host an event there.
“We’re booked solid a year out. We actually turn people away,” he said.
Though there’s a demand for the fairgrounds, some say its staff is difficult to work with, and others say its events don’t draw enough visitors and tourists.
But Golden and others who oversee the fairgrounds say they are working to bring in bigger events, and, to do so need more support from the community.
For plenty more, please pick up Tuesday' print edition of the Herald and News
The Klamath County Fairgrounds, operated by an appointed five-member board, is one of a few fairgrounds statewide to receive nearly half its operating budget from county transient room taxes.
Last year, the fairgrounds received $450,000 in revenue from the tax, nearly half its $1.1 million operating budget. Revenue from the 8 percent tax also goes to county museums and tourism promotion efforts.
The remainder of its budget comes from rental fees, donations, county fair revenues and state funding. It receives little to no county general fund money.
Taxpayer funding
Taxpayers directly funded construction of a 4,000-seat indoor arena — the John Hancock Event Center — when they passed a $4.5-million bond measure. The bond, which expires in 2010, costs property owners between 11 to 12 cents per $1,000 assessed value — about $16.50 to $18 a year for a $150,000 home.
Golden says the fairgrounds has hosted, on average, 100 more events a year since the facility was constructed. Among those were the high school rodeo state finals and a regional youth wrestling tournament.
Revenue from events last year drew $200,000. This year’s budget estimates a $10,000 increase.
Reader Comments
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tlee wrote on Sep 9, 2008 8:04 PM:
" According to your article, the fairgrounds received $450,000 from the motel room tax, but the revenue from events last year drew only $200,000, a deficit of $250,000. The operating budget is 1.1 million. Also include the bond measure funding that the fairgrounds received. Ask yourselves, is this the best use of taxpayers money to stimulate economic development in our community? "
Mary wrote on Sep 9, 2008 7:10 PM:
" The fairgrounds is a very nice facility, however you would think that with having such a nice facility,we could draw in larger name entertainers. The JC Expo accomondates many great bands for all listeners, why don't we ever get any big names here? Yeah, we've had a couple and I mean only a couple. The majority of the rentals that are done are for local events, that are attended by LOCAL people. Sure, things like Bullmania and the Pack Clinic may draw a few out of towners, but with such a nice facility, we should have some big name bands signed at least a couple of times a year. Now, if any of us want to see Heart, Tim Magraw or Ozzy, we'll continue to make the simple trek to Medford to see these groups. No wonder the local shoppers go over the hill to shop, it's because we don't have squat here. We pay about half as much if we can even find the item were looking for, which you can't or it's so picked over. As long as we offer crappy selection or variety, people will always go to Medford. They actually have shops over there. Don't even get me started on our airport. I recently purchased a ticket to Colorado, it was $600 cheaper to fly out of Medford then Klamath Falls ($1200). People say, "you don't have to pay for parking" or the gas is too expensive to drive over the hill, well I got news for ya. The $12.00 it took for me to drive to medford and then the $30.00 it was for parking, I still saved a huge chunk of money. Theres just no justifying the prices they charge over here. It's ridiculous. Well, it's time to jump off my soap box. It's just frustrating to live in a community for 30 yrs and have such nice facilitys and not be able to use them to their full potential. "
ron wrote on Sep 9, 2008 11:46 AM:
" how many tourists that go to the fairgrounds are from out of town and spend money on motels and restaurants,shopping, etc.,, compared to local residents who only attend an event and then go home is the question that needs answering to estimate the true economic impact. the fairgrounds gets by far more money than anyone else, and i am not convinced that the return on the investment is very good compared to other venues. look at the jackson county expo and the tulelake fair, which are much better. "
Kini wrote on Sep 9, 2008 7:56 AM:
" The Klamath County Fairgrounds is THE BEST. It offers everything in life that is healthy. The events are reasonable and many are FREE. The education at the Fairgrounds is unlimited and can help prepare someone for the agriculture industries. If guys are into weight lifting, try learning horse trimming and shoeing. You earn great money and you get great biceps. The people who frequent this establishment are POSITIVE INFLUENCES. Juveniles and adults who have to do community service there should be extremely grateful for the awesome privilege. I love the workers. They are all wonderful. I only have a handful of decent men friends, but Jerry Golden is one country gentleman. Go Jerry! You make the Fairgrounds what it is! :) "
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D.A. wrote on Sep 9, 2008 8:18 PM: