Sheldon, Iowa — A solution as to how Sheldon’s Crossroads Pavilion Events Center will be managed and operated is still uncertain.
The committee appointed to research the possibilities reported to the city council that only one entity has responded to their requests for proposals, and this was not viable. It was reported that after much searching and many discussions the committee feels that the best solution would be for the city to hire a full-time employee to manage the facility, with that employee reporting to a special committee. This committee would be charged with making sure the events center is run the way the city wants it to run. Council member Pete Hamill remarked that he felt it would better to have some company be charged with the management. Development Director Curt Strouth explained that they have contacted many management firms, but all of them indicated they did not want to handle venues in smaller towns such as Sheldon.
Mayor Meendering said she wanted to see who is out there who might want to take on the task. Committee member Peter Wagner told the council that the city should look for someone who is more of a marketer than a manager. He envisions getting entertainers to perform in Sheldon during the week when they are between major performances in bigger cities.
The target date for completion of Crossroads Pavilion is September 1st, 2017, and the city is already getting requests to use the facility for events such as weddings, but so far they have not been able to come up with what the city will charge and what services they will be able to provide. Because of this, the committee will begin a search immediately with the hope of hiring someone in the next thirty days. The committee will also come up with the draft of a job description for the council to approve.
