Arena board gets commission OK

By Ronnie Thomas, Staff Writer, The Decatur Daily
Now that the Morgan County Commission has approved incorporating a Public Park and Recreation Board to manage Celebration Arena, only one step remains for the State Products Mart Authority to purchase the 118-acre site at Priceville.
That could come from the seller, the Racking Horse Breeders Association, this weekend as the Racking Horse World Championship winds down.
Donna Kauffmann, the association’s acting manager, said the
breeders’ board meets Friday at 8 a.m. Most expect the board to review the contract from Products Mart and present it to the general membership for a vote at a meeting Saturday at 9 a.m.
On Tuesday, the Morgan County Commission opened the door for Products Mart to make its $650,000 offer for the 38-year-old facility by unanimously approving the Park and Recreation Board to manage and oversee day-to-day operations.
Products Mart said that’s the only way it would agree to purchase the arena.
Another stipulation Products Mart has in its counter-proposal to the breeders association is that the association agrees to $30,000 annual rent on a five-year leaseback.
Products Mart Board Chairman Ed Monroe called the County Commission’s vote “a positive step in the right direction.” Monroe said otherwise he is limited on his comments until after the breeders association “actually signs the contract.”
Deadlocked vote
In a June 16 vote to appoint the Park and Recreation Board, the commission deadlocked 2-2, with District 2 Commissioner Ken Livingston and District 3 Commissioner Don Stisher supporting the board and District 1 Commissioner Jeff Clark and District 4 Commissioner Greg Abercrombie opposing.
Commission Chairman John Glasscock broke the tie and voted against a resolution to incorporate the board.
Vote change
On Sept. 9, Glasscock told the Products Mart board he would change his vote if the board guaranteed two items in its proposed contract. He wanted the contract to keep a provision that requires the Products Mart board to provide basic maintenance on the arena during the term of the lease. He also wants the Products Mart’s guarantee it will fund through the Park and Recreation Board any operating deficit during those five years.
The resolution authorizing the incorporation of the board calls for five members on the board of directors. Each of the four commissioners will select one person from his district and the commission chairman will recommend a member at large.
The board of directors will then appoint an advisory board of interested citizens. Their function will be to meet from time to time and make recommendations to the board of directors.
Stisher said it is his understanding that someone from Products Mart would be liaison with the Park and Recreation Board to keep abreast of all actions.
Stisher said commissioners will accept applications from citizens wanting to serve after the breeders association reaches a decision on the contract.