The 22nd District Agricultural District (DAA) and the Solana Beach City Council have reached an agreement in principle to resolve issues related to plans for a new indoor concert venue at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, allowing plans for the project to proceed. The 22nd DAA owns and operates the fairgrounds.
The 1,869-seat concert venue is a $13 million renovation project of Surfside Race Place, an existing off-track betting facility at the fairgrounds. The new live music venue, expected to open in the fall of 2018, will host approximately 60 concerts annually and will include exhibits featuring the history of the San Diego County Fair, horse racing and craft beer along with a beer tasting room and continued satellite wagering.
The Solana Beach City Council approved the terms of a memorandum of understanding between the city and the 22nd DAA at Wednesday’s Council meeting – the outcome of a lawsuit City of Solana Beach officials filed in June seeking further California Environmental Quality Act review of the project to address impacts to Solana Beach. The City of Solana Beach issued a letter to the California Coastal Commission yesterday confirming that the city and the DAA have reached an agreement in principle and that the city is not opposed to the project.
“With the downturn in off-track wagering, we’re very excited about transforming this facility into a concert venue that will become a community asset enjoyed by our neighbors and the general public,” said Tim Fennell, CEO of the Del Mar Fairgrounds. “It will generate jobs and we hope new horse racing customers as well.”
Construction on the redevelopment of Surfside Race Place is set to begin in December, with an anticipated opening of fall 2018.