It was another historic day for LAFC at Exposition Park, as the club was officially welcomed as a member of the Park community by all of the Exposition Park stakeholders. In a media event held in the shadow of a rapidly progressing Banc of California Stadium, LAFC President and Owner Tom Penn and other dignitaries spoke over the constant background noise of construction workers erecting the state of the art facility.
“Do you hear that noise?” Penn asked the crowd. “That is the sound of music to our ears – it is progress and we are so excited to be a part of this historic and important park.”
The Office of Exposition Park Management (OEPM), the California Science Center & Exposition Park Board of Directors were joined by Senator Holly Mitchell, Assembly Member Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer, Sr., Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, and Councilmember Curren D. Price, Jr., in welcoming LAFC and the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art to Exposition Park. Also introduced at the event was Torti-Galls + Partners, the firm who will execute a new Master Plan for the iconic park over the next 20+ years.
“The Park has long served as a cultural institution and destination uniting the community,” Penn said. “LAFC is excited that one of the world’s most unifying sports will now have a home in the heart of Los Angeles at Banc of California Stadium.”
And what a home it will be, as the many members were able to find out after the event when they took a hard-hat tour of the stadium to witness the roof trusses in the midst of being installed.
“These two venues [Banc of California Stadium and the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art] are exciting and creative additions to the park, complementing the existing world-class museums, science center, sports and entertainment facilities that continue to thrill and spark the imagination of visitors from near and far,” said Fabian R. Wesson, Chairwoman, California Science Center & Exposition Park Board of Directors.
Numerous politicians and park executives spoke about the excitement in the community for LAFC and the opening of Banc of California Stadium, including comments from Senator Holly Mitchell, Assembly Member Reginald Byron Jones-Swayer, Sr., County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and Council Member Curren D. Price Jr.
“Exposition Park is undergoing amazing growth and transformation,” said Ana M. Lasso, General Manager for the Office of Exposition Park Management, which operates Exposition Park. “We are working diligently to preserve the past and embrace the future.”
As everyone in attendance on Friday could see – the future for LAFC, Banc of California Stadium and Exposition Park is bright indeed.
