Chesbrough was criticized when he announced in February that the summer residency of New York City Ballet at the Center, which loses money, would end after 2004. After protests, he reversed his decision, extending the annual series at least through 2005. The controversy prompted the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation to launch an audit of SPAC's finances.
SPAC also hosts jazz and pop concerts, the Philadelphia Orchestra, Lake George Opera, and the Saratoga Chamber Music Festival.
In an interview with the Saratogian in April, Chesbrough said his increasing responsibility for fundraising had become exhausting. "I've done it almost too long to be interesting," he said.