The Time For a Performing Arts Center is Now
 

We are getting close again to The Villages Annual Survey. Last year almost 800 residents took the time to enter in the comments section of the "2009 Annual Villages Survey" in both "The Developers" section and "The VCDDD" section" comments that a New Performing Arts Center to replace Savannah Center is required for our community.

These comments took many people by surprise and has lead to members of the AAC (on the north side of Route 466) to request VCDDD staff to submit to University of Florida consultants plans for a architectural and cost study to retrofit Savannah Center with "rake" or slooping seating and permanent seats rather than replacement of temporary folding chairs with other temporary chairs.

As noble and meaningful request as this is, it is the only action the AAC could take given their limited power and funding. However, this action does not resolve the real issue and that is that Savannah Center is presently an inadequate facility that is:
- Too small to attract larger acts or a higher quality of "named" acts
- Too small to attract productions with scenery or sceneray changes
- Has poor acoustics
- Has poor lighting
- Is not friendly for residents with disabilities
- Has a stage which is too small for any type of dancing program
- Has poor temperature control
- Has no facilities for handling coats (remember those recent cold days)
- and of course could use stadium seating so that all seats have a clear
unobstructed view of the stage
- Has inadequate dressing room facilities for artists
- Has no storage areas for our talented resident music and Theatre groups
- and many other inadequacies

What is necesary is for Mark Morse or his designate representing the Developer, The VCDDD, The AAC, The Volunteers Peforming Arts Alliance (VPAA, a not for profit corporation that has been established to establish, build and operate a New Performing Arts Center), and others to jointly identify a location that can be used to locate a New State-of-the Art Performing Arts Center for which our community of close to 200,000 people (Villages and those of surrounding communities) can be proud of and which can attract higher quality entertainment, plays, and events.

However, to get this ball rolling more than the previous 8oo residents MUST make the case that a New Performing Arts Center is required. As of now everyone but Mark Morse is listening. This doesn't make him a bad person it just means that we need many THOUSANDS of residents to make their voices heard to get his attention.

The Polo Field is a great venue for watching this thrilling sport. But more people attend events at the inadequate Savannah Cente then attend matches at the Polo Field. So why can't we get Mr. Morse's attention to provide land for a New Performing Arts Center? Apparently the numbers of residents who have requested a New State-of-the Art Performing Arts Center is not large enough to get his attention.

So starting today we need everyone to pass this message along, to tell your neighbors and friends, to mention it a club meetings and at the golf courses, exercise classes, Town Squares, and on The Talk of The Villages" that we the residents request that a New Performing Arts Center be located and built within the area of The Villages on land donated by Mr. Morse.

What a fitting memorial to The Villages Founder, Harold Schwartz, to have the Harold Schwartz Memorial Performing Arts Center be located within The Villages attracting local, national and international artists; providing a venue for the children or our Charter Schools; providing advanced music, Dance and Theatre courses in association with our local colleges and the University of Florida System; providing state-of the art facilities for our many talented resident musicians, actors, artists, and dancers,

The action must be taken now; the Annual Survey is the only vehicle we know of to get the message accross; to get the desires of the residents in the minds and plans of Mr. Morse and his wonderful design and construction teams.

Therefore, PLEASE follow these instructions to the letter for your desire for a New Performing Arts Center to be heard.

In Both "The Developers" Section and "The VCDDD" Section of the new "2010 Villages Annual Survey" when it comes out in late March or early April begin your comments with these words and these words only

A New Performing Arts Center is necessary ...........................

Let the voices of the residents of The Villagers be heard.

I agree that a large, multi-use, state of the art performing arts center is a wonderful idea. But we are in a unique situation here, closer to the monarchy than the democratic model. But let's assume this is a benevolent monarchy where citizens can speak and be listened to.

Allow me to play the character Mr Morse, and forgive me for admitting that I have neither met him nor know anything about him.
As Mr Morse, I directly and indirectly receive scores of requests from the citizens. Most involve spending my money, which I am not entirely opposed to, under certain conditions. The Performing Arts Center is a worthwhile idea and could be a huge asset to The Villages, but I can't get involved in an idea unless there is little or no risk of failure and a limit to my financial involvement. I wish the citizens would form a committee, committed to developing the whole scope and detail of a center, concentrating on how it would be used, who would use it, and especially how it would be managed and how it could be financially self-sustaining. If such a committee were to come to me with a comprehensive proposal, my representatives would be willing to review it, and try to agree on the how and who uses of a facility. 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.

OK so maybe you think my characterization is laughable.
I'm a member of the Villages Woodshop. It is an amazing facility, which I'm told was constructed on land donated by the Developer, built and equipped by the Developer. It happened because volunteers made a detailed proposal with answers about management, future operations, safety, insurance, etc. In short, everything they could think of to answer any objection and make the proposal feasible. It became the classic win-win idea. It has physically expanded, financed the purchase of new equipment, and it's many members have made significant contributions to the community with woodshop projects.

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.

Deleted because it was dumb.

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.

The quantity of entertainment offered in TV has always amazed me. And, 99.9% of the time, so has the quality.

And almost always for less than $20. No way you can beat that in "The Big City!"

And, I've always wished for a better (especially more comfortable) venue. But, I am in full agreement with NJblue's observations that a really, truly top notch venue is going to mean much, much higher prices. Sure, there are many folks in TV and elsewhere who would willingly pay even as much as $50 for a good show - but I doubt very seriously that there are enough of them to sustain a multi-million dollar performing arts center.

Still and all, I highly support the notion that our responses to the upcoming survey must repeatedly suggest a better center!

SWR
:beer3:

Why should we expect Mr. Morse to donate the land?

I will definately add my 2 cents on the survey regarding a better facility....the present one at Savannah is slightly less than adequate.....

Can we just demand generosity, even folly?
 

Well gosh, darnit. Is it just me or does this tone seem a bit harsh for requesting a donation, (let alone one that might hemmorhage money for years to come)? If it is financially viable, I would welcome a new performing arts center. I don't think I can conscientiously claim that one is necessary.

Another point to consider is that once the developer has built his last home in TV and steps out of the picture, the home owners will pay for all the recreation infrastructure maintenance and operating costs. Would be interesting to know how much the developer is subsidizing the current facilities, common area maintenance, etc. Everyone could be in for sticker shock when the total cost of all ammenities is paid by the home owners.

I would think that the Morse family would have built such a facility if it would be a profitable venue. They are very smart business people. Just look around TV, business's that have high prices don't stay in business very long. We live a great lifestyle, but don't throw our money around.

Before arbitrarily requesting a Performing Arts Center via the annual survey, there are some questions we need answered.

How much is it going to cost?

Who is going to pay for it?

Who is going to own it?

Who is going to pay the annual expenses?

How much it cost to attend?

What caliber of performers can we expect?

Must it be in The Villages?

Will it be self sustaining?

Will its expense impact on our amenity fees, annual maintenance fees, taxes, or in any other way add to the expense of living here?

Would I consider being in favor of a local Performing Arts Center? Absolutely, if am satisfied with the answers to the above questions.

To address most of your valid concerns

1) A non-profit group has been formed to establish and run the facility on a pay as you go and as almost all such facilities around the country with assistance from benefactors, corporate grants, donations, and ticket prices. This group has implemented customer surveys, hired consultants to evaluate potential mix of programs, financial viability, preliminery architectural plans, and evaluation of potential locations.

The best location to serve the most people is within the Villages. The best use o the facility is in conjunction with the Villages Entertainent Department not in competition with it.

To secure land (obviously donated land reduces the costs of construction tremendously) within the Villages, to work with the entertainment departmnt requieres the interaction and cooperation of Mr. Morse, as well as the VCDDD, SLCDD, AAC and county and local governments.

All parties that have been contacted including all of the above have been "unofficially" enthusastic about such an endeavor. Mr. Morse through his representatives has not been so forthcoming.

His cooperation, the assistance of the outstanding Desgn and COnstruction people, the assistance of the entertainment department, the input from all the talented Villages emploees would go along way to making sure that this facility would be both a entertainment and financial success.

It would be run by an independent not-for-profit cooperation with no financial ties or responsibilities to The Villages or require funding through Amenity Fees.

However, Location a usual is vital.

However, everyone is waiting for Mr. Morse's input and go ahead. and that is not going to come about without a larger show of interest from Villages residents.

Unforunately, in the real world there would be press coverage, people would see articles, pictures, stories, interviews, radio and TV coverage about the plans as we all know this does not occur (and has not occurred) without "the blessing" ; thus "Talk of the Villages" becomes the only way to reach Villages residents, and for you to discuss with friends and neighbors.

Thanks, Minnie, for that detailed answer. Before your answer my concerns were numerous but now they are satisfied.

Well, almost satisfied. A lot of people get a lot of enjoyment out of our existing venues. I realize they are not top of the class but the entertainment is quite good and the price seems right. Would a new venue impact detrimentally on the existing ones?

One other question. Why these references to "Mr. Morse"? If it is a viable project, go for it. Making an individual the bad guy doesn't help your cause.

Minnie,
Thanks for the additional information. Could you share the study (a pdf link maybe)? It would be helpful to know more about the financial assumptions, proposed location, architectural recommendations and other details. I don't know whether locating within, but having "no responsibilities to" The Villages is a good thing.

If Mr. Morse's representatives are not sold on the idea, I would at least like to know what their concerns are.

I don't usually throw either my support or opposition to something in my community that I know so little about, but interested in knowing more and could possible support this. Thanks again.

My thoughts exactly. Share the full details of what's been done in a pdf. Let people read the detail and make further suggestions about next steps. Your current strategy seems to be focused on the single step of asking for survey support. Consider inviting people to a meeting to brainstorm new ideas. Brainstorming is hard to do in a venue like this, but can be amazing within an in-person meeting of informed, interested people. Hang in there!

performing arts center
 

Performing arts center, yes The villages can benifit with this probably more so than the polo games. They seem infrequent ( short season ) and not that well attended. What do others think??

Take serious heed to batman's comments.
 

Those who live in TV have no idea how much of what we enjoy as amenities, et al are subsidized by the developer as a marketing expense.

If in fact the developers main interest is in developing/growing TV by building and selling homes.....and if the developer has in fact slowed TV development pace to match that of the current "great recession".....then why does anybody think the developer would have an interest in enhancing an already successful program?

Not for profit entities are always fun when some else is eating the cost of land, the cost of building, the cost of operating, etc. Do a real cost analysis based on the developer contributing zero and see what the results reveal. At least then one would have a worst case scenario to compare too.

I would be curious of all the "things" on TV residents want list for the area, how well would this performing arts center really rank amongst the 70,000
who live here?

btk

The way I read this, you want a place in TV - good idea since cart travel is the mode of choice around here. You want donated land within TV - land which the Villages Inc could sell or use for profit and you want it run with no financial ties or responsibility to the Villages. Does this include liability in case of injury, etc?.

Have you decided where you are going to get the entertainment for this venue? They do not perform for free and I doubt if you can duplicate a current TV act. I am sure that would be a clause in any contract you sign with the Villages, Inc. I don't think you can take plays and shows from the Leesburg or Ocala area without hurting their income even if you can match their prices.

Have you ever thought why there is only one Savannah Center? Maybe the TV entertainment group does not feel that another Savannah Center type venue would be profitable in TV.

I admire your desire for a performing arts center but do you think you will get the clientele to support one? I know your supporters say yes and go for it but what do the other 67,900 TV people think. Will they actually go to the center? That is the question you need answered.

There are so many places within a 25 mile radius - Ocala and Leesburg, 50 miles if you are willing to travel to Orlando. I know a lot of people in my area that don't mind the trip. It is a night out.

Can you compete?

Just asking questions.

I think the polo grounds are beautiful, would love to attend polo matches and would not be in favor of losing this venue or the surrounding sports fields. Is this the undisclosed "best location" being proposed?

There are two aspects to this concern: 1) the amenities that are paid for by our amenity fees (exec. golf, rec centers, pools, etc.) and 2) all the things that some think are "amenities" but are actually paid for by the developer (the entertainment in the squares, Katie Bells, Savannah Center, Church on the Square, life long learning college, championship golf).

In the case of the first category, I believe that these are self sustaining based on our amenity fees. All of the amenities north of 466 as well as a portion of those south of it are already turned over to the CDD. The books for these are open to the public and do not show any subsidization. From comments that I heard at the Resident Academy that I attended, the CDD is looking forward to the transfer of the remaining amenities south of 466 into it domain since the revenue flow from the amenity fees will more than offset the money that the developer currently pays to the CDD to run these amenities. Hence, this category of amenity seems to be pretty safe from any big surprises at build out.

The second category, however, could be a different story. For example, are the rents that the developer charges the businesses in the squares sufficient to also pay for the nightly entertainment? Or, does he kick in a large amount to subsidize the entertainment and rationalize it as a marketing expense. Same goes with all of the other "amenities" that fall into the second category. The obvious risk for this category is that if these are not self-sustaining endeavors, when the marketing rationale goes away, will these subsidies continue? My very uneducated guess is that these will be continued in some way or another after build out because either they are 1) self sustaining, or 2) the developer will take a pride in maintaining the atmosphere in the town that his family has built, or 3) the developer will be afraid of law suits for breech of contract where his marketing message was an implicit contract to offer these amenities into the future.

As to the proposed performing arts center, it clearly would fall into the second category. My guess is that the developer may be luke warm (at best) about it for fear that it will not be self sustaining and that he will then be forced to either subsidize it indefinitely or open himself up to lawsuits if residents try to make a claim that it was part of the "package" that they bought into.

I believe the polo field is privately owned. Polo is played more for the benefit of the players than spectators. It is very expensive for players. It takes six ponies for one game. Attendance cannot possibly make it a paying proposition. I believe the entrance fee is only five dollars for Villagers.

So, for polo fans, have fun, at a very favorable price, watching polo players have fun.

Now, back to the subject at hand. I don't believe a PAC would be self sustaining. However, as long as it has no financial impact on me, why should I, or anyone else, care?

The movement to provide a PAC is not new. It came up a few years ago and all kinds of rumors floated around.

All valid points however let me reiterate again. The proposed new Performing Arts Center would be established and run as a non-profit corporation. Since it would not be part of The Villages of Lake Sumter, Inc. or the the Developer, nor would it be run by either the VCDDD or SLCDD or any other governmental entity there would be no impact on amenity fees or increased taxes (other than all local governmental agencies agree that should a Performing Arts Center be built there would be an increase tax revnues from increased ticket sales, increased revenues from over night stays by talent and supporting staff, and addiitoanl employment.

Why would Mr. Morse want to assist? I would think that like our numerous golf courses, our Villages Hospital, Freedom pointe, our Pools, softball fields, etc. a new Performing Arts Center that would attract TOP talent and increased Cultural activities is a additional benefit that continues to make The Villages the top retirement community in America and that translates into increased home sales. Yes it is a business. That's ok.

Funding would come from fund raising efforts, from our residents, local businessess (especially those that stand to gain from reveues generated by an expanded Performing Arts Center), and other national corporations ad foundations that donate money for cultural activities, as well as ticket sales and rental of the property for various meetings. Which corporation would like to have naming rights for a new Perforing Arts Center in the hear of the best retirement community in America??????

How many people travel to Orlando, Tampa or Gainesville to see a "Broadway" show? a symphony orchestra? Jimmy Buffett??? We are a community approaching 100,000 or more people (not including surrounding towns and other developments) why shouldn't we have a top notch facility here???? As for why Mr. Morse should be encouraged to donate land for such a facility? Peraps to make it more convenient for the majority of residents to travel to and attend these events. Perhaps another feather in his cap? Perhaps as a memorial for founder Harold Schwartz who was a supporter of the arts.

and if he doesn't donate the land? then land will be found, costs will increase, traveling will be alittle more inconvenient, competition with Savannah Center will cause additional financial risk for both, Mr. Morse will loose an opportunity to have a beautiful state-of-the art facility located within The Villages. Remember Mr. Morse has recently donated land to Sumter County for a new government building, and of course the new VA facility. Why??? because it makes the community that much more desirable and that sells houses. That' ok. Its a win-win for both Mr. Morse and the residents. Its that mix of generousity and business acumen that makes a sucessful businessman and a desirable community.

Of course, you can decide that this issue is not important to you. The AAC will buy new chairs for Savannah Center, we will continue to be uncomfortable, many will continue to travel to Orland/Tampa/Gainesville for a higher level of culture and entertainment, many of us will tire of the impersonators, ticket prices will continue to slowly increase, new residents who desire to be nearer a more enhanced cultural setting may decide to look elsewhere, Savannah Center will be pushed to its max.

By the way for comparison Savannah Center was "sold" to the residents for $65 million - a new state-of-the Art, comfortable Performing Arts Center will probably be 10% to 20% of that amount. Our amenity fees are paying the debt service for Savannah Center, and the new chairs will also be paid from Amenity fees as well.

In addition any "improvements" thru new chairs or permanent seating will not only be expensive but also reduce the amount of seating available. And when that is finished the acts will remain the same, the sound will be poor, the temperature will be hard to control, our increased numbers of physically impaired residents will still find it hard to see the stage, the lighting will be intolerable, we will be unable to see a decent event that requires scenery, and dancers will still require safety harness to keep from falling off the stage.

The choice is yours. If you agree now is the time to speak up. If you don't thanks for your interest in at least reading and participting in this discussion.