DM Fairgrounds budget includes belt-tightening
A faltering economy will force operators of the Del Mar Fairgrounds to defer some maintenance projects and otherwise keep a lid on spending over the next year.
The 22nd District Agricultural Association – which oversees the state fairgrounds and the Del Mar Horsepark – on Wednesday approved a $59.4 million operating budget for 2009, an increase of 1.6 percent over the 2008 budget.
The new budget, which includes spending cuts for temporary services, entertainment and travel, was approved on a 5-0 vote by the association’s nine-member board of directors.
“We’re not having layoffs. We’ve tightened our belts,” said Tim Fennell, the fairgrounds’ general manager. “Where we might have painted a wall every year, we now might skip a year.”
Fennell said he is optimistic the fairgrounds will be able to find innovative ways to generate revenue, such as booking events at a former horse arena that is undergoing $14 million in renovations including a roof and cement floor.
“We’re looking at 2009 as a challenging year, but where there are challenges there are also opportunities, ” he said.
Related posts:
- Sockers to call fairgrounds home
- Chamber of Commerce wants legislature to consider budget
- Fairgrounds enacts smoking ban, concert policy
- Water allocation tightening
- S.D. City council hears mayor’s budget cut plan
Short URL: http://www.delmartimes.net/?p=3280
Posted by 
