ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA – Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley issued a letter to the OC Fair & Event Center Board of Directors in response to their search for a new, independent operator for the Equestrian Center. If the search for a new operator is unsuccessful, the Center will close on March 31, 2024.
“We must preserve the Equestrian Center. The Equestrian Center serves as an indispensable public amenity and bedrock feature of the history and culture of the OC Fairgrounds,” said Supervisor Foley. “Throughout Orange County’s history, the fairgrounds have provided a home for the equestrian community, stretching back to the horse races that took place at the original OC Fairs in the 1890’s. Today, the Equestrian Center offers riding lessons, vaulting practices, summer camps for kids, equine therapy, a local stable for residents, and many other free and low-cost community outreach programs.”
“For nearly 20 years, I have tirelessly defended the OC Fair & Event Center, including helping lead the charge against the sale of the fairgrounds to a private developer during the Great Recession… I look forward to working with the board on preserving this vital resource for our residents,” added Supervisor Foley.
Click here to read the Supervisor’s full letter.
Supervisor Foley remains committed to protecting the OC Fair & Event Center and the Equestrian Center. Supervisor Foley previously joined the community saving the Equestrian Center from becoming a parking lot. When the state tried to privatize and sell the fairgrounds in 2010, Supervisor Foley spearheaded efforts to stop the sale.
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Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022 to represent the newly established District 5, which includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, a large portion of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe and Wagon Wheel. This is her second term on the Board of Supervisors, where she previously served District 2.
Supervisor Foley’s Board appointments include the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), OCFA Legislation & Public Affairs Committee Chair, Orange County Transportation Authority, Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA), TCA Joint Environmental Committee, Coastal Greenbelt Authority, Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees, Ocean Institute, San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) Community Engagement Panel, Spent Fuel Solutions Coalition Co-Chair, Law Library Board of Trustees, Orange County Housing Finance Trust, Local Agency Formation Commission (alt), Orange County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council, and OC Public Libraries Advisory Board.
