EDITORIAL

For years, there’s been a lot of noise in and around the old Pacific

Amphitheater at the Orange County Fairgrounds.

For a decade, it was concerts -- most notoriously by rock groups like

Guns N’ Roses -- causing the ruckus. But since the amphitheater closed in

1995 (after being all but shut down the prior two years), it has been the

residents who forced the doors shut that have been keeping the din going.

Now, there is a plan coming together to make good use of the

amphitheater. And a little noise shouldn’t get in the way.

The tentative future look of the amphitheater, which the Orange County

Fair bought in 1993 and was the subject of a protracted lawsuit over

noise limitations, includes a reduction in the size from 413,000 square

feet to 140,000 and in the number of seats from 18,500 to 8,500. Instead

of rock music, the venue would be used for classical music concerts, high

school graduations and other performing arts. It would be operated by the

Orange County Fair board of directors, which knows a little bit about

putting on successful events. There will be a 55-decibel limit on all the

shows and events.

The fair board approved these changes at its meeting late last month,

and immediately there was a loud rush of condemnation from residents of

Mesa del Mar and College Park at the meeting.

They’re shouting up the wrong tree. While it’s understandable that

they would want as much quiet in their lives as possible, the plan the

fair board has come up with is more than reasonable. The cutbacks in size

and seating are dramatic.

The uses the board is planning make sense and will fill a void in the

community, which would benefit greatly from an outdoor venue for the arts

to complement other halls and theaters.

The amphitheater has sat wasting away for too long. It’s time to

strike up the band.