Representatives of the 22nd District Agricultural Association (DAA), which manages the Del Mar Fairgrounds, presented the Fairgrounds 2050 master‑site planning effort during the Imperial Beach council meeting on June 4 and requested the city’s participation in outreach and future workshops.

What was presented
- Zach McQuarrie, director of public affairs representing the 22nd DAA, described the Fairgrounds 2050 process as a public‑led master plan that seeks broad county input to create a vision for the property’s next generation. “This is a process to reimagine the fairgrounds into the future and plan for the next generation,” McQuarrie said.
- The DAA said the district manages three properties totaling about 324 acres (the main fairgrounds, the Surf & Turf Park and the Hat Horse Park east of Via de la Valle) and that the properties produce roughly $682 million in regional economic impact through annual fairs, racing and other events.
- The outreach plan includes a countywide statistically significant survey, technical advisory coalition of pro‑bono experts, regional open houses in each supervisorial district and an international design competition to develop design alternatives. The plan would be followed by CEQA environmental review and, ultimately, California Coastal Commission review for coastal permits.

Why Imperial Beach matters
- McQuarrie said the fairgrounds are a regional asset drawing visitors from across San Diego County, including Imperial Beach residents. He asked the city to help promote upcoming public workshops and noted the DAA wants to hold a workshop in each supervisorial district later in the year.

Next steps and timing
- The DAA said it plans to complete the listening (outreach) phase by the end of the year and then develop design objectives informed by public input, hold an international design competition, and proceed to CEQA and Coastal Commission review. McQuarrie emphasized outreach and countywide engagement rather than a developer‑led initiative.

Ending: Councilmembers asked clarifying questions about the DAA governance and timeline; staff and DAA agreed to continue coordination on public workshops and outreach to residents.