Quote:
Originally Posted by ijusluvit
If the proposal had a convincing management and future financial plan, I might donate a suitable space near Sumter Landing and a significant segment of construction costs.
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No matter how hard we try, and despite the fact that our tax dollars go straight to Lake, Marion and Sumter counties, I do not foresee any county funded performing arts facility located within TV. But I think it's possible that we will have one if WE put our heads together and come up with a feasible, perhaps irresistible plan.
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Great post. It's a good idea to look at this from a business perspective since I'm sure that's how Morse would look at it. I'm sure the donation of the land would be the easy part of such a venture. The expensive part would be building the auditorium. Such an auditorium would cost many millions of dollars and for it to be financially viable it would have to draw large sellout crowds willing to pay the going rate for "name brand" entertainment (far more than the $15 - $20 that is charged at the Savannah Center). Given that it seems like the Savannah Center has trouble selling out at cheap prices, it would be an understandable concern if a larger venue could sell out at even higher ticket prices even if the entertainment was more name brand.
I would think that to pursue such a proposal, the target location for it would be in Brownwood. This would put it closer to the turnpike and I-75 to allow it to draw from a larger population pool. It would also allow for some economy in building it since the parking lots already planned for Brownwood could double for parking for the center. From a business perspective, it would serve as a major draw for prospective buyers of houses in the new sections of TV. Afterall, I'm sure that is the primary motivator behind any decisions of such magnitude by the Morse family. Finally, since Brownwood is very close to Wildwood, placement of such a facility there may actually be viewed by the Wildwood and/or Sumter County government as a worthwhile project to warrant tax dollars - as a means to help stimulate the Wildwood economy.
Just my thoughts.