![]() More than 900 horses compete at Cal Expo. Harness racing at Cal Expo is operated by Capitol Racing. The entire fair grounds is about 356 acres and is located adjacent to the American River.Ĭal Expo typically holds harness racing from January to July and from September/October until December. It's estimated that with $6.8-million in cash reserves and continued operating costs of $1.33-million per month, Cal Expo will go broke as soon as September of this year.The California Exposition and State Fair grounds in Sacramento, more popularly known as Cal Expo, hosts the state's only harness racing track. It's important to note that over the last five years Cal Expo has self-generated $135 million that has gone back into the operations and maintenance of the fairgrounds which is available to the state and region for crisis response." ![]() "Cal Expo is critical to emergency preparedness for the region and other state crises. "At this time, we have remained open in an effort to do our part regionally to combat COVID-19 by hosting a free testing site for Sacramento County residents and by providing a location for temporary shelter to homeless individuals who may have tested positive for COVID-19," said Pickering. Richard Pan has gone to the Legislature and requested state budget funds to help avoid potential job losses until Cal Expo can resume normal business operations. Pickering insisted that they will need significant and immediate support from the State of California. In addition, they operate on what's know in government circles as an enterprise fund, which means they have generate the revenue needed to sustain the operation. "While we believe these decisions were necessary and in line with the public health guidance issued by the Governor, postponing the California State Fair and other events hosted at our facilities will cost Cal Expo an estimated $22 million in lost revenue," added Pickering.Īs a government agency, Cal Expo is not qualified for a federal Paycheck Protection Program loan from the federal government. ![]() He added that some contracts have be renegotiated and they've reduced the number of seasonal workers on the payroll. "Prior to this decision, most of the 200 events that are held annually at the Cal Expo were also postponed or canceled, costing Cal Expo an additional $6 million in lost revenue." "Last month, we took the necessary action of postponing the California State Fair until 2021, which will cost Cal Expo an estimated $16 million in revenue," said Pickering. In a written statement released Friday on behalf of the board, Cal Expo General Manager and CEO Rick Pickering said the staff has been directed to find ways to cut costs due to the loss of revenues caused by the cancellation of the 2020 State Fair. The Sacramento home of the annual California State Fair is feeling the financial pinch brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, and now the Cal Expo Board of Directors is turning to a cash-strapped state government to avoid furloughs and layoffs.
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