The city of El Cajon announced Friday a five-year agreement with Live Nation to manage and book events at the East County Performing Arts Center, the theater in the Civic Center complex.

Live Nation is a major concert promoter that operates and/or books shows at the Mattress Firm Amphitheatre in Chula Vista, House of Blues in downtown San Diego and San Diego State University’s Viejas Arena and Open Air Theatre.

Known locally as “ECPAC,” the 40-year-old theater in El Cajon has been shuttered since 2009. While praised by musical artists for its acoustics, the facility has a shaky history of openings and closings.

“This is a game changer for downtown El Cajon and the entire community,” Mayor Bill Wells said.

“LiveNation will bring nationally renowned acts to the heart of our city and ECPAC will once again be a premier venue in the San Diego region,” Wells said. “These shows will also bring new customers to the city’s thriving food and cultural downtown center.”

According to the city, the theater’s mechanical systems will be fixed and the interior will be given a facelift, with reopening set for the spring of 2019.

As part of the deal, approved by the City Council earlier this week, Live Nation plans to book 50 events in the first year, with the count climbing to 65 by the fifth year.

—City News Service

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