Sheldon, Iowa — At their regular meeting Wednesday, the Sheldon City Council reviewed the Events Center Operations Study prepared by Ballard*King and Associates of Highlands Ranch, Colorado. The full report can be viewed by clicking here. (VERY large file, please be patient while it loads……report will open in new window)
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Original Story – – Posted Wednesday, October 7th, 6:49 pm
Sheldon, Iowa — At their regular meeting Wednesday, the Sheldon City Council reviewed the Events Center Operations Study prepared by Ballard*King and Associates of Highlands Ranch, Colorado.
City Manager Scott Wynja told the Council that the study looked into both the feasibility of such a facility in Sheldon, as well as the cost to operate an Events Center. The study looked at existing facilities, both in Sheldon, and outside town in the secondary market. In Sheldon, the study highlighted the Lifelong Learning and Recreation Center at NCC, the Sheldon Community Building and the Sheldon Eagles Club. The study pointed out that, while the LLRC hosts several events throughout the year, they want to move away from doing social functions. In addition, the LLRC, along with the Community Services Center are alcohol-free facilities, while the proposed new events center would sell alcohol.
In the secondary market, the study looked at both the Prairie Winds Event Center at Orange City, and the Terrace View Center at Sioux Center.
Authors of the study concluded that the secondary market area is large enough to support a number of event centers. In addition, the study found that the population has a reasonably strong median income, and that having an events center directly accessible from Highway 18 would allow Sheldon’s events center to have a strong regional draw.
The authors of the study estimated annual revenues for the center to be $190,625, with annual expenses of $294,044, for an annual loss of $103,419.
Councilman Greg Geels asked Wynja how that compared to the figures for the City’s Outdoor Aquatic Center. Wynja replied that the Aquatic Center normally loses between $40,000 and $50,000 per year.
SCDC Executive Director Curt Strouth reminded the Council that amenities such as the City’s Outdoor Aquatic Center, the new Sports Complex along Highway 18, and the proposed Events Center will help to hold people in Sheldon, and draw new residents into the community.
In a related item, the Council voted to proceed with the application for a Vision Iowa Grant that would be used to help construct the proposed Events Center. The Council stressed, however, that the application for a grant does not mean that the City would definitely build an events center.
Mayor Tricia Meendering told the Council that, as of the time of the meeting, the City has received pledges of $213,250 toward the construction of an events center. She stressed that these pledges have been received without the City doing any solicitations. Wynja told the Council that the community support, as evidenced by these pledges, will be important in securing a Vision Iowa Grant.
In other action, the Council set Tuesday, December 8th as the date for a goal setting session. They also approved waer and sewer easements for the Runger Addition Project.
The Council had been scheduled to consider a traffic control request from the Sheldon Community School District, however Mayor Meendering told the Council that no formal proposal had been received from the school, so the item was tabled.
