Minutes Five Flags Civic Ctr 3 21 05
Five Flags Commission Meeting
March 21, 2005
PRESENT: ROD BAKKE, MARK NAUMAN, MIKE BRANNON, BRYCE PARKS
ABSENT: CYNTHIA FULLER
STAFF PRESENT: INTERIM MANAGER LES CROOKS, JENNIFER UPTEGRAPH
The Commission meeting convened at 4:30 P.M. in the Majestic Room at Five Flags
Center. Vice Chairperson Mark Nauman presided.
Approval of Minutes: Rod Bakke moved to approve the February 17, 2005 Five Flags
Commission Minutes. Seconded by Mike Brannon. Motion carried. 4-0
New Business: Interim Manager Crooks presented the commission with the FY-06
Budget information. The only rate increase request this year is the hourly rate for ice
rental. It will be raised to $175 per hour, with specially negotiated rates for the
Thunderbirds and a 3-year phase in for Youth Hockey. Interim Manager Crooks is
meeting with Jim Goodman and Bob Woodward tomorrow to discuss the ice rates. This
price is still lower than most facilities within driving distance of the Five Flags Center.
The Thunderbirds have been presented with a 3-year contract from the facility.
Manager Crooks is confident they will reach an agreement as the team has begun
accepting season ticket deposits for the 05-06 season.
Rod Bakke asked how beer sales are since the price increase and two different cup
sizes were introduced.
Interim Manager Crooks revealed that the facility ran out of packaged beer for the Larry
The Cable Guy performance and are in the process of ordering 100-120 cases for the
upcoming shows this month. The beer distributors, along with the Five Flags Center,
learned a valuable lesson. Drop count for Larry was around 3,100. Ron White probably
won't see as big a crowd as Larry did.
The Thunderbirds had their best concessions on Saturday night versus their rival, the
Ice Hawks. Per caps were approximately $3.60.
The Five Flags Center will only have 9 months to generate revenue during the FY 06
year because of renovations this summer.
Mike Brannon asked for an explanation as to the $1.00 facility fee. Interim Manager
Crooks explained that the facility fee is a standard cost added to most event tickets. It's
pretty typical across the board, ranging from $0.50 to $2.00 depending on the facility
and the event. Interim Manager Crooks will be going before the city council on the 4th to
get the budget approved, as he just received the format today and will make sure that is
updated.
An announcement was made that the new Concession Manager has been hired. Jenni
Welsh had been filling in as the interim concession manager and did a fantastic job.
Her first official day on the job was Sunday, March 20. She is excited about the position
and is motivated to see things run more smoothly in that department.
A Box Office Manager will be hired following the renovations this summer. Interim
Manager Crooks should know by tomorrow (3/22) if there will be a new General
Manager; a gentleman has been offered the position.
Numbers could start looking better as early as next year. Rod Bakke mentioned
successful events will begin to breed others. The FFC needs to get promoters and
patrons used to coming here.
Old Business: No old business to report.
Manager's Report: Interim Manager Crooks presented the commissioners with an
update of the happenings at the Five Flags Center. Several new bookings - Horse Pull
after the Bull Ride, Holds include a Laser Spectacular for the Theater, Big & Rich, Brad
Paisley/Sara Evans. The facility is working hard to get a big event into the building for
the re-opening after the renovations are finished.
Financial Report: Interim Manager Crooks presented the commission with a
breakdown of events and their net incomes, as well as the FY-06 budget information.
With no further business to discuss, Mike Brannon moved to adjourn, Bryce Parks
seconded. Motion carried. 4-0 Meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cynthia Fuller, Chairperson