The Wicomico Youth and Civic Center has a regional reputation for being a great place to hold or attend concerts, family shows, trade shows, sporting events, meetings and receptions. It is known to offer uncompromised service, fair prices, outstanding food, and clean & attractive facilities. Last year, 399 events were held boosting the total attendance to over 204,600 people. In addition, 530 activities were offered by the Department of Recreation and Parks at the Center. Attendance for these activities was 14,200.

Local meeting, reception, and trade show planners have an array of options from which to choose within and outside our service area. There are 29 similar venues within the immediate marketplace (a 250 mile radius) that are competing with the WY&CC for concerts, family shows, trade shows and sporting events. Furthermore, there are over 80 similar venues located within a days’ drive. This does not include arenas operated by colleges and universities.

Our Civic Center’s main structure is 27 years old. The Midway Room is 35 years old. The Center is losing its competitive luster and stands to lose business to competing venues if it is not restored and upgraded.

Restoration Funding Strategy

An assessment of the structure and its equipment related to operation and event support was undertaken in 2005 by the Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism. A 20-year outlook for the building was prepared in 2005 by the staff and includes product knowledge from equipment and service providers commonly used in the industry. It is updated annually.

Needed upgrades run the gamut from replacement of seating, floors, roofs, event support equipment, lighting, heating & air conditioning, to room renovations. Approximately 60 projects were identified at a cost of approximately 11.1 million dollars. A detailed list of items and their related costs is attached to this narrative. These estimates are based on what the market bares at the present time. It must be understood that construction costs (materials and labor) are volatile, and these estimates need to be adjusted annually to ensure the provision of adequate funding to undertake approved projects.

Many of the needed improvements, such as replacing the roof, will not be seen or appreciated by the public. Other items will drastically impact the marketability of the Center.

Restoration Plan
Two years ago the County Council adopted a plan to restore the Youth & Civic Center. The approach has two parts and is funded by an admission fee (5%), hotel room tax (1%), rental fee on non-admission events (5%) and an annual budget appropriation of $140,000. These revenue streams yielded $421,000 last fiscal year. Interest generated by this account is accrued to hedge inflation.

A capital escrow account (sinking fund) to pay for items where the service life can’t be determined was established. These items range in cost from $2,000 to $500,000. Examples include escalators, HVAC systems, food preparation equipment, carpet replacement, etc. The cost to fund these items over a 20 year period is $4,500,000.

General obligation bonds were sold in the amount of $2,500,000. This is in per portion to annual debt service payments and revenue generated from dedicated fees (hotel room tax, seat, and restoration fees).

The total cost of items to be paid from the issuance of General Obligation Bonds is $7,400,000. Items include remedial roof repairs, full roof replacement, Normandy floor replacement & installation of utilities to support trade shows, replacement of stage, seating, corridor flooring & sky lights; exterior metal wall restoration, etc.

This fiscal year, Wicomico received $1,000,000 from the State of Maryland. This requires a match in equal per portion enabling the county to undertake $2,000,000 in improvements. This leaves approximately $5,400,000 in unfunded items.

The County intends to seek additional State bond issues in 2008 and 09 in the amount of $1,500,000.

A restoration fund analysis consisting of revenue projections, items to be funded by general obligation bonds and the capital escrow account is attached to this white paper.

Improving the Y&CC can be viewed as an investment in our community’s future. This commitment will make it more competitive within the market place as it will be recognized as the venue of choice by event organizers. Having the ability to attract and retain new events will:

• Increase the quantity and quality of top flight cultural entertainment,
• Infuse new dollars into our local economy, and
• Reduce the tax appropriation required to balance the Center’s annual operating budget.

As Cary Somers states, “Without equivocation, the Youth and Civic Center should be the economic engine which drives the County. Few communities of its size have a facility of this size, location, and functionality.” Now is the time to protect this community treasure by posturing it to become a self-supporting enterprise that not only provides public service and cultural entertainment, but can accomplish it with minimal taxpayer’s support.

Completed Projects to Date

• Parking Lot Lighting
• Danang AC Replacement
• Lighting & Energy Upgrades
• Purchase of a new Fork Lift
• Installation of a new Fire Alarm Panel & Pull Stations
• Re-Keying Building and a new swipe card entry door
• New Evacuation Chair Lifts
• Completed work on the Midway Air Handlers
• Purchase of new tables and radios
• Repaired a damaged wall in the Arena
• Purchased a new Point of Sale system for the Concessions operation
• Purchased a new 60’ by 40’ stage and ADA ramp
• Purchased new banquet chairs for Midway and Danang rooms
• Purchased a new upright freezer for concessions
• Added brand new floor seats for the Arena
• Purchased new power point projectors and screens for audio visual use
• Added new plantation blinds to the Flanders rooms
• Installed new safety rails on the Arena risers
• Installed new air conditioning in the Food Service office area
• Completed concrete sidewalk repairs around the venue
• Installed a new dual burner system on both boilers
• Purchased a used 60ft. boom lift
• Installed new curtains on the Midway room stage
• Repaired and restored the meeting room partition walls

• Install new air conditioning system for backstage dressing areas and main office
• Seal and stripe the parking lots
• Purchase new interior picket fencing and food tables for concession food courts
• Upgrade the center’s Wi-Fi and computer access for trade shows and meetings
• Complete improvements to the Arena sound system
• Purchase one new spotlight
• Complete necessary brick repairs and caulking around the building
• Paint and seal exterior areas of the building shell
• Install a new Storage building
• Complete a new center rigging safety system and steel project
• Purchase new financial software for the venue
• Purchase new tables and radios
• Repair the escalator steps on the up escalator
• Complete phase one of the roof restoration for the venue