Dodge events center efforts resume
By Tim Vandenack
The Hutchinson News
Dechant Sheer Minerals
tvandenack@hutchnews.com
DODGE CITY - A new round in long-running efforts to build an events center here has begun.
The multi-million-dollar facility, discussed since the late 1990s, would potentially accommodate concerts, conventions, sporting events and other activities, and two new proposals are making the rounds. No other facility of such magnitude exists in this corner of the state.
"I think this is a golden opportunity that we have right now," said Rick Sowers, a Dodge City commissioner who serves on the civic body tabbed with helping local leaders formulate a plan.
Still, no timeline has been set and the proposals, unveiled in January, face the scrutiny of the civic body, the Community Facilities Advisory Board, before anything concrete is likely to emerge.
"I think everybody wants to move quickly, but carefully," said Jeff Pederson, the Dodge City manager.
The two proposals, topic of preliminary debate at a gathering Thursday evening of the advisory board, come from Phoenix-based Global Entertainment Group and the Wichita-based Heritage Development Group.
The Global plan calls for construction of a $33 million complex on the northwest edge of Wright Park south of the city center. A multipurpose building would seat up to 5,800 and the structure would also contain 10,000 square feet of convention space.
The Heritage submission proposes a $41 million facility that would contain a "Showplex" for live events, possibly an Old West-themed house show, and seat up to 3,200. Plans also call for 15,500 square feet of convention space. No site is proposed.
Advisory board members expressed numerous questions about the plans, which will undoubtedly face tweaking in coming weeks as officials decide what they want to do. The proposals were formulated without local direction and for no fee.
Advisory board member Ann Torrey, for one, questioned Global's proposal to build near Wright Park. Voters in 2005 overwhelmingly shot down a different scheme to build there.
But Terry Williams, a Ford County commissioner who also serves on the body, noted that numerous consultants in years past have recommended building at the location and said the site merits due consideration.
Sowers wondered whether the house show proposed at Heritage's Showplex would hinder availability of the facility for other activities, like high school graduation ceremonies. He also questioned whether the seating, 3,200, would be enough for the array of possible events that might pass through.
As outlined, Heritage's Old West-themed show, which would account for $8 million of the $41 million price tag, would run five days a week in the summer, capitalizing on Dodge City's name to bring in tourists.
Ford County leaders and residents have debated construction of some sort of events center for years, using funds generated by a special half-cent city and half-cent county sales tax. Some have questioned whether the area has the population to support such a facility, however, and the plans have faced intense debate.
Finally, a judge ruled last year that terms of the 1997 ballot that approved the city and county sales tax stream dictate that local leaders give the proposal their priority attention, paving the way for the renewed effort.
"I hear a groundswell of positive energy for a change," said Don Steele, a local resident. "I haven't ever seen this much excitement."