HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-12-08 Bass Park Committee Minutes Visitor Facilities and Attractions Committee / ' .'
Visitor Facilities and Attractions Coniinittee
December 8. 1997
Minutes
� Committee members present: M. Aube, P. Baldacci, G. Eckmann, A. Hess, S.
Pechinski,J. Quirk, J. Rohman, T. Woodcock.
Staff present: E. Barrett, R. Heller, R. McKay.
Committee members absent: D. Fichtner, J. Sa�cl, M. Sullivan.
Meeting was called to order at 4:00 pm
Tim Woodcock opened the meeting with an overview of the issues he sees with respect to
developing Bangor's attractiveness to those from outside the city. Specifically, he referred to the
Bangor Auditorium's age and imminent need for replacement. He urged committee members to
allow their imaginations to "soar" in addressing this issue. He also noted that a replacement for
the facility could not be financed on the property tax alone, and that alternative capital resources
were required.
Ed Barrett expanded on these comments to include more than just Bass Park and its facilities.
He framed his comments in terms of getting people to come to Bangor for more than a shopping
trip, and to give them reasons to stay overnight. He posited that this was best accomplished with
a number of smaller attractions taken together, as opposed to one big facility.
. Tim Woodcock mentioned that, as staff to the committee, Ron Heller was to be seen and used
as a resource for both information gathering and analysis. He mentioned the effort underway in
Portland to build an aquarium, and pointed out that if ideas aren't generated locally,they never
happen. , , •
Gary Eckmann asked if it was intended for the committee to stay away from waterfront issues.
Tim Woodcock responded that the facilities currently at Bass Park could conceivably be moved
to closer waterfront proximity. Ed Barrett said it was all right to deal with issues other than
Bass Park.
Tim Woodcock said the committee should build on the work accomplished by the Bass Park
Strategic Planning Committee. He also noted that, despite its one-dimensional nature, the
Auditorium continues to bring people into the area.
Peter Baldacci noted that the Cumberland County Civic Center is showing its age,presenting
Bangor with an opportunity to have the nicest facility in the state, if replaced, and that if
replaced,perhaps we should relocate it. Gary Eckmann said that the facility needs tn.remain -
visible. .John Rohman asked if perhaps we should be thinking bigger. Ed Barrett pointed out
that moving the facilities from Bass Park presents some problems, including "crowding out" . ,.
waterfront development. Additionally,nothing much else can be done with Bass Park.
� Mike Aube said that we need to key development to market opportunities, as demonstrated by a
number of smaller cities which are hosting smaller meetings, and that the Cumberland County
Civic Center was losing business to some of these markets.
Visitor Facilities and Attractions Comxnittee �
December 8. 1997
Minutes/2 �
� Ed Barrett spoke about the need far an integrated facility, ideally cannected to a hotel. Sheila
Pechinski didn't think a hotel was essential, and#hat�ere ways araund thzs, She fi,u-ther asked
�the group to consider what we want to be and what our particular niche is.
Jack Quirk asked what other cities are thinking and doing. He added that Portland may be
thinking about replacing their Civic Center, as might Augusta. He also cited the recent attempt
by Ellsworth at building a facility.
John Rohman said we need to pay atte"ntzon ta what's going on east and nprth of us, as this is a
significant part of, and influence on our rnarket pasition.
Tzm Waodcock praposed that we take a Iook at otl�er, sitarailarly-sized cities and determine what
they're doing and how they're funded. Feter Tialdacci mentioned that the Bostan Globe recently
did an article an just that topic.
Ed Barrett abserved that there are things that we don't publicize very well, and that we could do
a better job of that fairly easily and inexpensively. Jack Quirk said we need to determine who
our customers ara. Sheiia Pechinski added that we also need ta detez•znine if our present
� customers are the ones we want. Jack Quirk responded that there are different types of
customers, or markets with different derz�.agraphics.
Jack Quirk aiso questianed what population base we need 'zn order ta step up ta the next level.
� Sheila Pechinski rr�entioned that we need to draw peaple in, while Peter Baldacci nofied that our
population is declining. Ed Barrett mentioned that the southern portzon afthe state is the only
part that's growing. Gary Eckmann observed that aur primary market is about 300,000. Ed
Barrett said that we'd never asked Parks & Rec ta put an s#a#ewzde taurn�ents or events that , , �
would bring people in, and that perhaps we ougl�t to pursue that option.
Alan Hess mentioned that corporatians have become an important source of funding for a lat of
projects. Shei]a Pechinski rnentioned that theare is also a lot of out-of-state wea�th on the coast
that we might think about tapping as well.
Next meetin�•
The group agreed to recanvene on Monday, December 22nd at 4:00 PM, and to meet on the
second and fourth Mondays thereafter. Thus, additional meetings are initially scheduled for
January 12th and 26th, February 9th and 23rd, March 9th and 23rd.
To be dane prior to next meeting: '�
1.,. Distribute the KPMG Peat Ivlarwick study canducted in 1990 (enclased with thesa`minutes). �
2. Research what other cities in Maine are thinking about doing.
3. Research as to what other cities have done outside of Maine. ,.
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