Arena director claims summer slow-down is normal

July 10, 2009 10:02 am

— By Ivy Brashear / Staff Writer
A slow-down in events at The Arena during the summer months is a normal pattern, and nothing to be concerned about, said Arena director, Cliff Clinger.
“Everything tends to be slower during the summer months,” Clinger said. He recently held a meeting with Corbin Mayor Willard McBurney and City Manager Bill Ed Cannon to discuss the lack of events at the Arena during June and July.
This pattern is “not out of the norm” for arenas in a smaller market, Clinger said.
He said most performers use outdoor venues and perform at state fairs during summer, which reduces the likelihood of groups booking a tour date at an indoor arena.
“This is just a norm for the business,” Clinger said.
“What everyone is looking at is just a snapshot of the first four months (of The Arena’s existence),” Clinger said, referring to the overall net loss of $74,418.66 the Arena has suffered so far.
Clinger said that a lot of the Arena’s revenue within its first four months was used to cover capital expenses, which include one-time purchases of furniture and fixtures. Those costs, Clinger said, will not be reflected in the remainder of this year’s profit/loss statement for The Arena.
The last event held at the arena was the Lone Star Rodeo Company rodeo on May 29 and 30. Since then, the arena has been empty, and will remain empty until July 22 when Staind will perform with several other bands.
Clinger said that during this slow period, part-time staff does not work and the air conditioning for the large rooms in The Arena is turned off to reduce the electricity bill.
The Arena is “right on track” with complying with the feasability study completed about it several years ago, Clinger said. In the study, predictions stated The Arena would host 149 events within the three years after The Arena opened, and bring in a profit of $737,420 during that time.
“We’re really rolling up our sleeves and trying to make this project work,” Clinger said.
He said the season for events at The Arena will pick up in the fall, and continue through winter and spring.
“It’s not all gloom and doom,” Clinger said. He said there are major events scheduled this fall that aren’t quite ready to be announced.