The Del Mar Fairgrounds are in the process of revamping their 90s-era wagering facility into a concert and entertainment venue. Solana Beach’s Belly Up has been selected to take on venue management, bringing in entertainment bookings for what’s said to be around 60 events per year.
The venue has been named The Center, consisting of 1,982 seats with tiered-level seating and a mezzanine. According to Coast News Group, the $13-million-dollar project dates back to 2018 and the process of selecting a partner to run booking and promoting had seen delays throughout.
The Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach’s Cedros Avenue Design District has been in operation since 1974, hosting notable acts like Red Hot Chill Peppers and George Clinton. The club has a capacity of 600 and bookings set for 2022 include Dennis Quaid, Mandy Moore, Wishbone, and Ani DiFranco among many others.
According to reports, Belly Up is early in the process of being brought on to manage The Center and continues to develop their entertainment plans for the venue. Construction is still underway but concerts at The Center are expected to commence later this year. Stay tuned for what’s to come at Del Mar Fairgrounds this Summer by following their Facebook page.
