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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:*
December 12, 2023




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*Dan Tierney: 614-644-0957
Jill Del Greco: 614-644-0957






Ohio Expositions Commission Approves Lease Addendum for Columbus Crew Practice Fields

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)?Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced today that members of the Ohio Expositions Commission voted to approve a lease addendum to allow Columbus Crew to build two additional practice fields at the Historic Crew Stadium and Ohio Health Performance Center.

The agreement expands the leased area in the vicinity of Historic Crew Stadium by approximately 8.8 acres while preserving the remainder of the property for year-round use by the Expo Center and Ohio State Fair. The acreage had previously been used for livestock trailers and other parking during the State Fair.

?Just as the Ohio State Fair is an ingrained part of the culture of our state, the Crew is also a point of pride in Ohio,? said Governor DeWine. ?The commission?s vote today will not only support our 2023 Major League Soccer Cup Champions, but it will improve fairgoers? experience by creating an increase in available parking during the fair each summer.?

As a part of the lease addendum, the Columbus Crew will pay additional annual rent and will open its parking facilities at Historic Crew Stadium during the Ohio State Fair to help ensure adequate parking for visitors.

?The Ohio State Fair is rooted in agriculture, and the fair and other ag-related events we host here allow us to connect with people who may never visit a farm and provide them an opportunity to learn about how agriculture impacts their daily lives,? said Angela Krile, chair of the Ohio Expositions Commission. ?Ensuring that we strategically utilize the land that we have to provide outstanding event spaces and safe, sufficient parking to support those events is critical, as we attract visitors from all over the state and country to the fair and to the hundreds of other events we host year-round. While we will be changing the use of this 8.8 acres, we are working collaboratively with our neighbors and partners to ensure we are maintaining current parking capacity, utilizing our current space as efficiently as possible, and identifying opportunities to expand nearby parking for visitors and exhibitors.???

Governor DeWine and the Ohio General Assembly have significantly invested in the Ohio Expo Center and Ohio State Fair over the last five years, recognizing that the site is an asset to the state.

As today?s resolution concludes a years-long discussion, the grounds will continue to undergo unprecedented upgrades, transforming the fair experience for families, competitors, commodities, vendors, and all Ohioans from all regions and all ages thanks to an historic investment of $260 million from the Governor and the Ohio General Assembly as a part of the Expo 2050 project [ [link removed] ].

"On behalf of the Ohio Farm Bureau, commodity partners, and Ohio?s agricultural community, it was important to us that the plan laid out by Governor DeWine and the Ohio Expo Commission kept the integrity of the operation of the Expo Center and Ohio State Fair and met the needs of the stakeholders,? said Adam Sharp, Executive Vice President of the Ohio Farm Bureau.? ?That was accomplished, all while adding to the parking capacity of the facility as investments continue to be made to vastly improve the site. Now that a plan is in place for the Expo Center, we look forward to working with the Governor, lawmakers, and the Expo Commission to see the full vision of these plans through to create a venue ideal for the great events already hosted there and to entice more shows, events, and visitors to central Ohio in the years to come."

?The focus and priority on agriculture has always been and will continue to be at the top for us,? said the Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge. ?Because Governor DeWine recognizes the value of the fairgrounds, their importance to the agricultural community, and the opportunities they hold for Ohio?s youth, he has advocated to modernize and enhance the property.?

?Fran and I know the importance of the fairgrounds as it relates to Ohio?s youth. All eight of our children participated in 4-H in Greene County, and we recognize and appreciate the hard work and dedication that Ohio?s young people put into showing livestock and other 4-H and other competitions at the Fair,? said Governor DeWine. ?I wholeheartedly believe in investing in the fairgrounds. I will continue to advocate for additional funds to see the Expo 2050 vision come to life and to maintain the current footprint of the fairgrounds in the heart of Ohio. Today?s resolution satisfies the expansion needs at the Expo grounds for the Columbus Crew.??

Construction of the new practice fields is expected to begin in early 2024 and is anticipated to be complete before the MLS All-Star Game, which will take place in Columbus in July.

?It?s been an incredible week for the Crew,? said Columbus Crew President and General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko. ?We?re proud to represent the City of Columbus, and it?s an honor and privilege to bring a third MLS Cup to our city and the State of Ohio. We greatly appreciate the support and collaboration from the Ohio Expositions Commission and Governor DeWine on the addendum to our lease that will allow us to complete the vision for our facility and give us two additional fields on the Historic Crew Stadium grounds. It will further strengthen our commitment to increasing opportunities for our youth to play and benefit from soccer, including enhanced access for local leagues, the Crew Academy, and our Crew Network of community soccer clubs. At the same time, it preserves land for vital year-round use by our neighbors, the Ohio Expo Center and the Ohio State Fair.? ?

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*Additional Media Contact:?*

Alicia Shoults
Ohio Expo Center & State Fair
614-644-4011
[email protected]

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