A plan to save the circus arena in Venice
HERALD-TRIBUNE ARCHIVE / 2007 / KIM HACKETT Venice Circus Arts Foundation has put together a budget to renovate the circus arena.
By TERRY O'CONNOR Correspondent
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
VENICE - The Venice Circus Arts Foundation returns to the City Council today for official assurance the deteriorating circus arena the organization is seeking to save will not be demolished.
"Six months ago, when we first went before council, I gave them a long list of things we would do if they would not tear down the arena," said Karen Dove of Sarasota-based Karen Dove Consulting, who is advising the Venice Circus Arts Foundation on how to rebuild a financially self-sustaining business. "We've done everything on that list."
The foundation will ask the council for a formal letter that would allow the arena-saving project to continue over the next three to five years, Dove said.
"It will help us raise money," Dove said. "We need council to see us through the restoration of the arena and to make a commitment not to tear it down."
Mayor Ed Martin said the city has nothing to lose by letting the foundation pursue its goal. The City Council showed its support a month ago by eliminating $250,000 in demolition costs from the budget.
But the council also asked to see a viable business plan. Dove said one is prepared.
The Venice Circus Arts Foundation board emerged from a strategic planning retreat with a three-year operating budget it hopes will impress the City Council.
The first year's $86,000 operating budget would focus on fixing the roof's gaping holes. The 2012 operating budget would increase to $200,000 and by the year 2013, the figure would reach $300,000.
The budget projections include the possibility of hiring a part-time manager and paying a development consultant as well as bills such as office rent and supplies, Internet and marketing costs, insurance, utilities and postage.
Fifth-generation trapeze artist Tito Gaona envisions a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus museum will be built eventually along with a clown training center.
Even if the council approves the foundation requests, two big challenges remain.
The foundation estimates that renovating the 5,100-seat arena will cost $10 million, and federal law requires any operation on site must be a revenue producer for the airport fund because it sits on airport property.
read more at:http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20101012/ARTICLE/10121039/2066/NEWS?Title=A-plan-to-save-the-circus-arena-in-Venice#
By TERRY O'CONNOR Correspondent
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
VENICE - The Venice Circus Arts Foundation returns to the City Council today for official assurance the deteriorating circus arena the organization is seeking to save will not be demolished.
"Six months ago, when we first went before council, I gave them a long list of things we would do if they would not tear down the arena," said Karen Dove of Sarasota-based Karen Dove Consulting, who is advising the Venice Circus Arts Foundation on how to rebuild a financially self-sustaining business. "We've done everything on that list."
The foundation will ask the council for a formal letter that would allow the arena-saving project to continue over the next three to five years, Dove said.
"It will help us raise money," Dove said. "We need council to see us through the restoration of the arena and to make a commitment not to tear it down."
Mayor Ed Martin said the city has nothing to lose by letting the foundation pursue its goal. The City Council showed its support a month ago by eliminating $250,000 in demolition costs from the budget.
But the council also asked to see a viable business plan. Dove said one is prepared.
The Venice Circus Arts Foundation board emerged from a strategic planning retreat with a three-year operating budget it hopes will impress the City Council.
The first year's $86,000 operating budget would focus on fixing the roof's gaping holes. The 2012 operating budget would increase to $200,000 and by the year 2013, the figure would reach $300,000.
The budget projections include the possibility of hiring a part-time manager and paying a development consultant as well as bills such as office rent and supplies, Internet and marketing costs, insurance, utilities and postage.
Fifth-generation trapeze artist Tito Gaona envisions a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus museum will be built eventually along with a clown training center.
Even if the council approves the foundation requests, two big challenges remain.
The foundation estimates that renovating the 5,100-seat arena will cost $10 million, and federal law requires any operation on site must be a revenue producer for the airport fund because it sits on airport property.
read more at:http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20101012/ARTICLE/10121039/2066/NEWS?Title=A-plan-to-save-the-circus-arena-in-Venice#
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