Statistically valid survey finds Calistoga residents favor Speedway, RV park, evacuation center, fair and parks at fairgrounds

FM3 Research presented results of a statistically valid resident survey on reuse preferences for the Calistoga Fairgrounds and the Calistoga City Council received the presentation and public comment.

Lucia of FM3 said the survey, fielded Sept. 20–Oct. 12, reached 641 residents in the Calistoga Joint Unified School District with demographic quotas set to match census data and a margin of error of about 4.9 percent. The consultant said respondents were highly familiar with the property: 96 percent agreed the fairgrounds are "in disrepair and in need of maintenance," and 95 percent agreed the site is an important part of the community’s identity and legacy.

When asked to pick top choices from a list of potential uses, respondents grouped most strongly around five priorities (all within the margin of error of one another): the Speedway (34 percent), an RV park (33 percent), an emergency evacuation center (33 percent), the annual fair (32 percent) and public access to parks and open space (32 percent). Lucia said 80 percent of respondents supported the idea of leasing portions of the property to vendors or businesses to generate revenue for maintenance and reopening; 56 percent were open to the idea of a local ballot measure to fund improvements in principle, though support varied by mechanism and the question was framed as a resident (not voter) survey.

Public commenters offered a range of views. Jenna Mitchum urged a dog park at the fairgrounds, saying it would "create a welcoming space for dogs and their humans in this community" and serve local residents and RV-park guests. Another speaker called for transparency and community-focused uses: "We want honesty. We want transparency," a public commenter said during the meeting.

Council members praised the outreach and the fairgrounds advisory committee’s role and asked staff to bring the survey materials to the advisory committee on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. for further development of feasible options. Staff said slides and the survey materials will be posted online and available in hard copy at the city clerk’s office.

The presentation and the public discussion framed the survey as one input for a multi-step planning process: councilmembers emphasized the need for a structured next phase (feasibility studies, a road map and funding analysis) while continuing operations and events that generate current revenue.