Live Nation Gets El Cajon PAC

– Live Nation Logo 2017

A deal that would make Live Nation manager of the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) was unanimously approved by the El Cajon, Calif., City Council.

El Cajon city manager Doug Williford has been in talks with Live Nation since February, according to East County Magazine.

“First and foremost, we had to find the right partner that could make or break the future success of ECPAC. We are happy to say that not only did we find the right partner, we believe we have found what is the best partner in the nation for our city,” Williford said in a statement.

The 1,140-capacity venue shuttered nearly a decade ago because of budgetary issues. The city council considered demolishing the 40-year-old facility and replacing it with a business hotel before they decided to preserve it five years ago.

Live Nation is expected to begin operating and managing the venue six months before it’s set to reopen in early 2019.

The management agreement would last for a five-year term, with two additional options to renewal for another five years.

The company will reportedly book 50 events in the first year, with a minimum of 65 events scheduled by the fifth year of the agreement. The agreement would require the city to pay Live Nation a management fee of $375,000 each year, in addition to $50,000 for consulting services to renovate ECPAC.

All income generated by the facility, including ticket sales, concessions and rental revenue, would go to the city.

Renovations are expected to begin in summer 2018.

Live Nation’s Executive President of Clubs and Theaters North America, Arich Berghammer, spoke to city council members before votes were cast.

“This is your facility. My role is to facilitate your needs. The last thing you need is the world’s biggest concert promoter telling you what you need,” said, according to East County Magazine. “One of the things which I do believe that we can do for you as a partner is that you have a community with needs which are bigger than ours. As your operating partner in this, we have lots of dialogue. That’s a very important thing. Our management team will live in your community. It is imperative that we see you over breakfast or lunch, and bring in content that fits.”