VENTURA : Stadium Supporters Expand Project Plans

Promoters of a proposed stadium and sports complex near the Ventura Auto Center want to include a sports car hall of fame and streets equipped for auto racing in the complex.

The new and larger facility, to be outlined today, is expected to include plans for a 5,500-seat baseball stadium, aquatic center, golf driving range, retail shopping center and expanded auto center.

It would be near Olivas Park Drive in east Ventura, near the existing auto mall off Johnson Drive.

As an incentive for City Council support, project supporters plan to offer more than $10 million to make the proposal by the Centerplex Organization a reality, proponents said.

Under terms of the deal, Centerplex would donate some of the land for the project and agree to cover any maintenance costs associated with its upkeep.

“Most cities, including Ventura, cannot afford to fund those kinds of losses due to recent tax revenue decreases in city budgets,” developer John Hofer said in a statement. “We think we have solved those problems.”

Hofer also envisions a series of race-quality streets being constructed throughout the Olivas Park Drive neighborhood. In coming years, the area could hold national auto racing events, he said.

Project supporter John Masterson on Monday night invited each of the seven members of the Ventura City Council to an organizational breakfast meeting this morning.