[inda50]

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??

[billethkid]

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

[zcaveman]

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.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by inda50

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??

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?

[NJblue]

Originally Posted by batman911

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 amenities is paid by the home owners.

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.

[downeaster]

Originally Posted by inda50

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??

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.

[Minnie101]

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.