What a
difference a year makes. In 2007, Ocean Center officials had just
taken over management of a massive project that would double the
size of the county’s entertainment, convention and sports complex.
They were trying to make up for lost time and put a lid on soaring
costs following a period during which time and money were fleeting.
“Today, we are
80 percent complete with the construction,” said Ocean Center
Director Rick Hamilton. “And we expect to begin renovations of the
existing structure any time now.”
Construction
of the new elements of the complex is on track for completion in
September. Renovation of existing elements of the complex will be
finished by year’s end. Grand opening festivities are planned for
early 2009.
“It’s been a
challenging and rewarding journey and we are confident everyone will
share our excitement over the expansion,” Hamilton said.
While
expansion of the Ocean Center had been discussed for years, it did
not begin until 2005. Not long after construction began, a sizzling
real estate market, a booming construction industry and skyrocketing
construction materials costs converged to put the project behind
schedule and over budget.
County Manager
Jim Dinneen, County Chair Frank Bruno, Deputy County Manager
Charlene Weaver, the Tourist Development Council and Hamilton worked
to take over the project through the county’s management entity,
OCORP. They sought and received community consensus for an increase
in the bed tax, which the County Council unanimously approved.
Today, the
$76-million project is on schedule and on budget.
The Ocean Center sales staff is booking the expanded complex for
dates in 2009, 2010, 2011 and beyond. Dates in early 2009 include
Team Spirit, the world’s largest cheering organization, and the
Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association, which will occupy the entire arena
for its convention. There are several contracts pending and the 2009
calendar shows nearly 300 days of bookings, including a wide variety
of dates.
“Our clients
like booking the Ocean Center because it’s a one-stop shop,” said
Hamilton. “We can provide assistance with decorating, event
staffing, concession management, catering, information technology,
marketing, transportation and more. We walk them through every step
at a pre-convention meeting, so every detail is anticipated.”
When complete,
the expanded Ocean Center will be the seventh largest complex in
Florida. It will have more exhibit space, more meeting space, more
pre-event space and more parking spaces. A county ECHO grant is
helping to fund displays of art and cultural exhibits over some
55,000 square feet, with an abundance of information on cultural
offerings in the community and a concierge-style information desk.
Revenues have
kept pace with expenses, even with $76 million in new debt. The
one-penny increase in the bed tax, the 2 percent resort tax and
operating revenues have contributed to the Ocean Center’s profitable
status, something that is welcome news to the County Council as it
grapples with budget shortages on many fronts.
“The only
thing better than delivering a world-class facility to the community
is doing so in the black,” said Volusia County Chair Frank Bruno.
“The Ocean Center continues to be a great resource and a great
source of pride.”
