The City-County Observer accurately predicted the departure of the Evansville Icemen from the Ford Center and the City two weeks before it became fact. The move to Owensboro came as something of a surprise, as Louisville appeared to offer a more suitable venue. In the end, Icemen owner Ron Geary and the Mayor of Owensboro struck a bargain that appears to be a win-win for both of them. Â We wish IceMen the very best in the future.
On the face of it, the loss of the Evansville IceMen Hockey team that was the centerpiece of the design of the Ford Center is not a “positive†for the facility, the Winnecke Administration, or the people of Evansville in general. With some thinking “outside the box†we hope that the Mayor and his team can turn this loss around and make lemonade out of the lemons we were given.  We hope that the Mayor will find a replacement for the Icemen that will draw simliar crowds.  It’s obvious that a new agreement won’t get approval by ECHL because the IceMen have territorial right protection.  We also hope that in addition to another Hockey team, the city leaders will look to other oppurtunities that will attract people to the Ford Center.  Arena Football, Professional Wrestling and Roller Derby come to mind, but there are many possibilities that deserve consideration.
There are some who point to the management of VenuWorks with an accusing finger.  At this time is we feel VenuWorks is doing a good job attracting events that fits Evansville limited marketing demographics.
There are a couple of bright spots on our horizon. The new Health Professions Education Center (formerly known as IUSM, Evansville) is expects to bring economic benefits to the Downtown campus. Â New downtown Convention hotel. Â Tropicana coming on land has a strong likelihood of resulting in positive economic results for the City and Downtown.
It is time to stop expecting the Zoo, Â city parks and golf courses, Â community swimming pools, the Ford Center, the Victory, and Old National Bank Event Center to make a profit for the City. Â Its time to recognize them as a quality-of-life facilities. Â We should stop expecting them to make a financial profit. because its obvious that that won’t happen. Â Fact, if they can come close to breaking even, we should be glad that they are not taking any more money from the City’s coffers.
After last City election its obvious that the taxpayers have chosen to allow Mayor Winnecke to do more of the same he has done during his first term. Â However, Â we expect that in order for him to maintain the present and to enhance the quality-of-life venues in Evansville a tax increase will be in order for the public.
Very few, interested parties showed up to protest any of the future spending of capital projects, during the last City election.  We are not saying “We told you so†even though we did. It is apparent that a majority of the public wanted the Mayor to spend more public money on future “shiny things.â€
As Morton Marcus pointed out in Sunday’s C&P, some businesses are benefiting from this city’s profligate spending habits. Atlas Van Lines was named in the article.
Shouldn’t the headline’s “Lose” be “Loss”?
Can they take out the ice and make it to where it’s not all weird when set up for basketball? What a fiasco. We built that dirt bag a brand new hockey rink and as I predicted this shitty hockey experiment didn’t last 5 years.
The following statement is that slippery slope that we have all been warned to avoid.
“It is time to stop expecting the Zoo, city parks and golf courses, community swimming pools, the Ford Center, the Victory, and Old National Bank Event Center to make a profit for the City. Its time to recognize them as a quality-of-life facilities. ”
Just how much is already being lost on this portfolio of quality of life facilities? Without these perennial losers would Evansville have functional sewers, pot hole free roads, sidewalks, etc. At some point one must learn how to prioritize a very small number of discretionary dollars.
I agree, Joe. I doubt we would have those basic things you mention because those things just aren’t fun and sexy.
The reason it’s a slippery slope is be cause of the Elitist Manure/ Quality-of Life fertilizer, that’s used in rationalizations like this one in the CCO,– yet,—always paid for by the peons.
Don’t forget community treasure Mesker Amphitheater which was closed for lack of basic repair. It is mind boggling that the City wants to spend millions on a North Main bicycle lane project that few want, while Mesker rots away with the chair seats from Roberts Stadium.
JoeBiden…you have a venue downtown struggling to survive (the Ford Center), and the minions are screaming “no more dollars and subsidies for entertainment facilities”…..and yet this narrative of re-opening Mesker Amphitheater lingers.
What gives? How do you, or anyone else, explain the double-standard?
I can understand how Mesker comes up in the arguments, and its very logical. Basically, how can the city continue justifying quality of life project after quality of life project when it can’t even afford to maintain the quality of life projects it already has in its portfolio. It’s not as much an argument to reopen Mesker as much as it is an argument for why many of these new quality of life losers shouldn’t have been considered in the first place given this city’s poor track record on maintaining the portfolio it already possesses.
I miss Mesker as much as anybody, but I think we’d better just accept that it is gone. I wish money had been spent there instead of on some of the other new things we built. The mayor finally said there is something we can’t afford besides decent sewers and roads.
This editorial is a change for CCO, but I agree that the Mayor did the right thing by not giving in to Mr. Geary’s demands. I think most of the Icemen’s fans would cheer for a new team. You are right about there being a lot of other things the Ford Center can be used for.
Actually, it’s a horrible deal because of the way its playing out. If the Icemen moved out of the Tri-State area, no harm, no foul. Now, Geary gets an arena that he needs to renovate, will probably be able to draw revenue from the project from a guaranteed tenant in Kentucky Wesleyan, and will also have the capacity to start competing to pull some entertainment away from Evansville. Now, that would be trouble.
Back in the ’80’s, I remember all the local leaders talking about how they wanted Evansville to be the Tri-state’s service hub. Evansville’s population has remained stable, but the conditions to live in Evansville have become deplorable. Look at your water or power bill, and compare it to something similar in Owensboro. Owensboro’s population has shot up dramatically, at now 60,000.
There’s a zero-sum game being played out for who will be the tri-state’s economic hub, Owensboro or Evansville, and if Owensboro can get Geary to move the Icemen to Owensboro, rid themselves of a liability, and increase their entertainment options, all at Evansville’s expense, it’s a huge loss in such an economic zero-sum game.
Interesting article on the Icemen Owensboro contract terms.
http://www.messenger-inquirer.com/news/local/sportscenter-sale-governed-by-contract-conditions/article_408cbf61-b2c4-55ce-be7a-acb183ad3167.html
Found this part of the article somewhat interesting: “Geary’s company will have 45 days as a “study period” to determine if the Sportscenter is suitable for its purposes, at its sole discretion.”
Wonder what happens to the whole thing is Geary’s company finds it is not suitable for it’s purposes (hockey). Would have thought that would have already been determined before signing a contract.
That’s SOP for construction. This is going to require a renovation, and even though it may all look good on paper, it gives the opportunity for Geary to send his own inspectors in and evaluate the actual condition in order to ensure that everything is as promised. No different than refusing to pay for a newly constructed or renovated home until your inspector looks over the work to ensure its all in order. For an active building that size, that’s a reasonable amount of time to for him to ensure that everything really is in order. If it’s not suitable, Louisville’s offer is still on the table.
“It is time to stop expecting the ZOO, City parks, and Golf courses, Community Swimming pools, the Ford Center, the Victory, and the Old National Events Center to make a profit for the City. It’s time to recognize them as Quality- of-Life facilities”. —–
This is the most blatant bit of Hogwash “feel good” propaganda I have EVER read in the CCO! Pitiful, won’t be long and you won’t be able to tell the difference between the C&P and the CCO, the lines are beginning to blur already with Absolute crap like this.
Quality of Life?– for whom?,– throwing in the Parks and Pools doesn’t change the TRUE Focus,–The Centre, The Ford, The Victory,– don’t draw enough patrons, (the Quality of Life Seekers you mention) to justify their RED INK.
Face it,– the Majority of Evansville’s Taxpayers are NOT served by these White Elephants, and these “Pigs” are not viewed as any prettier,— no matter the Cheap lipstick your DRIVEL paints them with!
Got to agree with you Crash. I do not go to these facilities and do not care to. Would list the reasons individually but what is the point?
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