top of page

OPAC in 
2025

At OPAC—the Oxnard Performing Arts Center Nonprofit Corporation—we remain deeply committed to serving our community. Below is an overview of our proposal and the history of our organization’s management model.

Our Proposal for the Community Rooms / Center

To better align the interests of the City, our nonprofit, and the community we serve, we are submitting a proposal for OPAC to assume operational control of the Community Rooms as of March 1, 2025. We believe this shift will foster a more equitable, efficient, and collaborative partnership, ultimately enhancing the quality of life, nurturing the arts, and supporting economic development in Oxnard. This proposal will be presented to the City Council for consideration on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 6 pm.

A Brief History

OPAC was established in 1998 as the nonprofit management and operations arm of the Oxnard Performing Arts & Convention Center. This arrangement continued until 2019, when significant budget cuts nearly led to the Center’s closure. In response, the City of Oxnard issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for its management, and OPAC partnered with The Canyon, also known as Sterling Venue Ventures (SVV), to jointly apply for the opportunity. Initially, our vision was for OPAC to serve as the facility operator, with SVV acting as the in-house concert promoter for the main theater.

In 2020, the City restructured the arrangement, assigning SVV the primary management role for both the theater and the Community Rooms—which include two ballrooms, five classrooms, and outdoor patios (historically known as the Community Center) from March 1, 2020 - March 1, 2025. Although SVV’s contract stipulates that the Community Rooms be operated "in coordination" with OPAC, the absence of a clear, structured agreement between the parties has led to ongoing challenges. 

The Theater

OPAC is open to the possibility of an RFP for theater operations, should the City decide to pursue that process. We believe that a Request for Proposals is a transparent and equitable approach for any city. However, if the City opts to continue with SVV’s management of the theater, we respect and support that decision.

We appreciate your continued support as we work to carry out our mission: to foster and serve our community through inclusive programming, cultural and artistic exchange, and developing people-centered spaces.

OPAC Proposal to City of Oxnard

A Request to the Mayor and Council Members – City of Oxnard

January 16, 2025

The Oxnard Performing Arts Center non-profit Corporation Board respectfully requests the Oxnard City Council to grant the following:

  1. Commencing March 1, 2025, a separate Agreement with the City for which the OPAC Board will serve as the sole operator and manager of the 2 ballrooms and 5 meeting rooms in the Oxnard Performing Arts Center.

    • ➢  The OPAC Board will render to the City 50% of all rental income from the 2 ballrooms and 5 meeting rooms.

    • ➢  The OPAC Board will re-set as an annual “revenue target” for the City -- $120,000 instead of $90,000.

    • ➢  The OPAC Board will hire and utilize local Security Personnel subject to all rules, regulations, and conditions of the City.

    • ➢  The OPAC Board will conduct an annual audit to ensure that procedures are in place for the accurate accounting and submission of funds to the City.

    • ➢  The OPAC Board will allow Sterling Venue Ventures (SVV) to continue with its 2025 rental reservations already booked, and for SVV to retain 50% of the rental income, submitting 50% to the City.

    • ➢  SVV will not charge rental clients for the use of any OPAC Board’s lighting or sound equipment for the rental clients who already have reservations for the use of the ballrooms/meeting rooms.

  2. In order to allow the OPAC Board to obtain its own ABC liquor license, the OPAC Board requests that the City provide two separate addresses for the Auditorium/Theater and the Ballrooms/Meeting Rooms, such as, 800-A Hobson Way for the Auditorium/Theater, and 800-B Hobson Way for the Ballrooms/Meeting Rooms.

    • ➢  The OPAC Board will pay the City 50% of all net proceeds from its liquor sales or 15% of gross proceeds, whichever is greater.

    • ➢  If annual utility costs exceed the City threshold, the OPAC Board will pay excess costs for the 2 ballrooms and 5 meeting rooms, or a 50/50 split with SVV for the entire OPAC complex.

  3. Other facility issues:

    • ➢  The OPAC Board will have exclusive use of the ticket booth in the ballroom/meeting room side of the complex.

    • ➢  The OPAC Board will have equal access to and use of the marquee.

    • ➢  The OPAC Board will have equal access to and use of the display cases on the

      ballroom/meeting room side of the complex.

    • ➢  The OPAC Board will have shared use of the parking lot with SVV.

    • ➢  The OPAC Board will have shared use of the main courtyard with SVV.

    • ➢  The OPAC Executive Director will only contact a lead person named by the City in case of any major repair/maintenance needs.

  4. The OPAC non-profit Corporation Board is amenable to whatever multi-year Agreement is in the best interests of the City.

805-385-8147
800 Hobson Way Oxnard, CA 93030
PO Box 332 Oxnard, CA 93032
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube

Oxnard Performing Arts Center Corporation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Federal Tax ID 77-0524980.

©2024 Oxnard Performing Arts Center Corporation. All rights reserved.

bottom of page