By Evan Belanger, Staff Writer, The Decatur Daily
Decatur Councilman Ronny Russell says he’ll support a plan to borrow surplus money from the city’s financial reserve to fund construction of a 25,000-square-foot pavilion at Ingalls Harbor.
City officials discussed Monday a plan to loan up to $2.8 million for the project from the city’s reserve, which has a $4.99 million surplus from previous years.
Russell, who was not present for the meeting, was expected to oppose the plan after he alleged last year that city officials had artificially created the surplus by reinterpreting the city’s reserve policy.
Repayment
But he said Wednesday he had no problem with plan, because the money would be paid back through revenue generated by the local Hospitality Association’s $2-per-night room-occupancy fee charged for local hotel stays.
“What is being proposed here is completely a different scenario from simply raiding the city’s reserve and having no plan to repay the funds,” he wrote in an e-mail to The Daily.
Russell said he still opposes redefining the reserve policy without declaration of financial emergency, and that he will not support a proposal for repayment of the loan to go to funds other than the reserve fund.
But he said investment in Ingalls Harbor is worthwhile.
“We’ve seen great return on our investment at Ingalls, and I think the pavilion will add to that, and I think it’s needed,” he said.
Requested by the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Hospitality Association, the proposed building project is intended to expand use of the city-owned facility beyond its primary function as a site for fishing tournaments.
Funded by outsiders
The City Council will consider a resolution Monday to advance up to $2.8 million to cover the project’s cost.
Mayor Don Stanford emphasized Wednesday the cost of the pavilion would be covered primarily by out-of-town visitors because local residents are not likely to stay in Decatur hotels.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Decatur needs pavilion as meeting place
Editorial, The Decatur Daily
The proposed pavilion at Ingalls Harbor is an opportunity for Decatur to have a multi-purpose meeting place and help with further re-establishing a resident-friendly waterfront.
City Council members are poised to vote on a funding resolution Monday that probably includes a 25,000-square-foot pavilion that will cost something less than $3 million.
The consideration to build the facility is not if the city needs a gathering place that can seat 1,500, but the city’s ability to finance it.
One proposal is for the city to front the money and for the Hospitality Association to repay the cost from its $2-per-night hotel room occupancy fee. The hotels’ self-imposed fee is for such purposes. The fee is not tax dollars.
The association already is repaying the cost of the harbor improvements through the fee, and a spokesman says it can take on the additional payment.
Tami Reist, president of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the fee generates about $400,000 per year and is enough to pay for the pavilion and continue to pay the existing debt.
Decatur’s riverfront is a work in progress, but it has made gigantic strides after the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce and the city built the Riverwalk at Rhodes Ferry Park.
The addition of a pavilion will bring thousands more people to Decatur. Most of all, it will give Decatur residents greater access to the south bank of the Tennessee River.
The proposed pavilion at Ingalls Harbor is an opportunity for Decatur to have a multi-purpose meeting place and help with further re-establishing a resident-friendly waterfront.
City Council members are poised to vote on a funding resolution Monday that probably includes a 25,000-square-foot pavilion that will cost something less than $3 million.
The consideration to build the facility is not if the city needs a gathering place that can seat 1,500, but the city’s ability to finance it.
One proposal is for the city to front the money and for the Hospitality Association to repay the cost from its $2-per-night hotel room occupancy fee. The hotels’ self-imposed fee is for such purposes. The fee is not tax dollars.
The association already is repaying the cost of the harbor improvements through the fee, and a spokesman says it can take on the additional payment.
Tami Reist, president of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the fee generates about $400,000 per year and is enough to pay for the pavilion and continue to pay the existing debt.
Decatur’s riverfront is a work in progress, but it has made gigantic strides after the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce and the city built the Riverwalk at Rhodes Ferry Park.
The addition of a pavilion will bring thousands more people to Decatur. Most of all, it will give Decatur residents greater access to the south bank of the Tennessee River.
Concerts by the River series kicks off Monday
By From staff, wire reports, The Decatur Daily
Start your summer on a high note as the Paul Stroud Concerts by the River kicks off Monday.
Rhodes Ferry Park will be the site of the Monday concerts through Sept. 6. The free concerts begin at 6 p.m. and usually conclude by 8 p.m.
Expand your musical horizons and enjoy some of the Valley’s most talented performers throughout the summer. The series will showcase a range of musical genres including country, contemporary Christian and Celtic; jazz, blues and gospel; and classic rock, bluegrass and big band.
New this year is a portable stage for the performers which was secured through support from state Sen. Arthur Orr for the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Monday night will feature the Bluegrass Soul Pickers, a five-piece band from Hazel Green. Their versatile sound ranges from hard-driving instrumentation and vocal harmonies to a smooth, soulful finesse.
The group formed in 2003 when three friends followed their dreams to sing, write and record the bluegrass style of music they listened to growing up. Members of the band include Shane Norman on mandolin, Lorne Wilde on upright bass, Buddy Mason on guitar, Brett Anderton on dobro and Weston Stewart on banjo. Visit www.soulpickers.com.
Concert-goers are invited to bring picnic baskets, lawn chairs or blankets.
The concert series, which began in 1991, now bears the name of the late Paul Stroud, a founding member of the Sophisticated Swingers who encouraged local musical talent and served as the series coordinator for many years.
Call 341-4818, e-mail meldunn@decatur-al.gov or visit decaturparks.com/eventsConcertsByTheRiver.asp for updates to the following schedule.
In case of inclement weather, cancellation decisions will be made after 4 p.m.
May 10: Austin High School Jazz Band, 6 p.m.; Rocket City Jazz Orchestra, 7 p.m.
May 17: Decatur Youth Symphony with special guest soloists, 6 p.m.; Decatur Youth Orchestra, 7 p.m.
May 24: Radio X, 6 p.m.; country singer/songwriter Cristina Lynn, 7 p.m.
May 31: Memorial Day, no concert
June 7: Akoustik Juice, 6 p.m.; the Terry McNeal Band, 7 p.m.
June 14: “Tribute Night,” Dorothy Cole as Tina Turner, 6-8 p.m.
June 21: Reginald Jackson and Friends, 6 p.m. (followed by a free movie screening of “Where the Wild Things Are”)
June 28: Sophisticated Swingers, 6 p.m.; Taylor McClain, 7 p.m.
July 5: Ghost Train, 6-8 p.m.
July 12: Michael Quarry, 6 p.m.; Madison Community Band, 7 p.m.
July 19: Slip Jig, 6-8 p.m.
July 26: Robert Montgomery and Friends, 6 p.m.; the Dixie Bluegrass Boys, 7 p.m.
Aug. 2: Jeff Whitlow and the Old Barn Band, 6-8 p.m.
Aug. 9: The Orr Sisters, 6 p.m.; Kenn Orr, 7 p.m.
Aug. 16: LaChelle Hood, 6 p.m.; Bob Walters Banned, 7 p.m.
Aug. 23: Susan Hood, 6 p.m.; Crosspoints Worship Band, 7 p.m.
Aug. 30: Gary McKenzie and Satchel Tweed, 6 p.m.: vocal showcase featuring students of Studio La Bella Voce, 7 p.m.
Sept. 6: The C.O. Jones Band, 6-8 p.m.
Movies in the Park
The free Movies in the Park screenings will begin June 5 with “Raiders of the Lost Ark” at Founders Park at Old State Bank. The family-friendly films will begin at dusk. Other films include:
June 21: “Where the Wild Things Are,” Rhodes Ferry Park
July 17: “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,” Delano Park
Aug. 6: “Million Dollar Duck,” Point Mallard Park
Aug. 21: “The Princess and the Frog,” Point Mallard Park
Aug. 28: “The Perfect Game,” Wilson Morgan Park
Sept. 11: “The Wizard of Oz,” Founders Park
Sept. 2: “Bedtime Stories,” Rhodes Ferry Park
For more information, call 341-4818 or see decaturparks.com/eventsMoviesintheParks.asp.
Start your summer on a high note as the Paul Stroud Concerts by the River kicks off Monday.
Rhodes Ferry Park will be the site of the Monday concerts through Sept. 6. The free concerts begin at 6 p.m. and usually conclude by 8 p.m.
Expand your musical horizons and enjoy some of the Valley’s most talented performers throughout the summer. The series will showcase a range of musical genres including country, contemporary Christian and Celtic; jazz, blues and gospel; and classic rock, bluegrass and big band.
New this year is a portable stage for the performers which was secured through support from state Sen. Arthur Orr for the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Monday night will feature the Bluegrass Soul Pickers, a five-piece band from Hazel Green. Their versatile sound ranges from hard-driving instrumentation and vocal harmonies to a smooth, soulful finesse.
The group formed in 2003 when three friends followed their dreams to sing, write and record the bluegrass style of music they listened to growing up. Members of the band include Shane Norman on mandolin, Lorne Wilde on upright bass, Buddy Mason on guitar, Brett Anderton on dobro and Weston Stewart on banjo. Visit www.soulpickers.com.
Concert-goers are invited to bring picnic baskets, lawn chairs or blankets.
The concert series, which began in 1991, now bears the name of the late Paul Stroud, a founding member of the Sophisticated Swingers who encouraged local musical talent and served as the series coordinator for many years.
Call 341-4818, e-mail meldunn@decatur-al.gov or visit decaturparks.com/eventsConcertsByTheRiver.asp for updates to the following schedule.
In case of inclement weather, cancellation decisions will be made after 4 p.m.
May 10: Austin High School Jazz Band, 6 p.m.; Rocket City Jazz Orchestra, 7 p.m.
May 17: Decatur Youth Symphony with special guest soloists, 6 p.m.; Decatur Youth Orchestra, 7 p.m.
May 24: Radio X, 6 p.m.; country singer/songwriter Cristina Lynn, 7 p.m.
May 31: Memorial Day, no concert
June 7: Akoustik Juice, 6 p.m.; the Terry McNeal Band, 7 p.m.
June 14: “Tribute Night,” Dorothy Cole as Tina Turner, 6-8 p.m.
June 21: Reginald Jackson and Friends, 6 p.m. (followed by a free movie screening of “Where the Wild Things Are”)
June 28: Sophisticated Swingers, 6 p.m.; Taylor McClain, 7 p.m.
July 5: Ghost Train, 6-8 p.m.
July 12: Michael Quarry, 6 p.m.; Madison Community Band, 7 p.m.
July 19: Slip Jig, 6-8 p.m.
July 26: Robert Montgomery and Friends, 6 p.m.; the Dixie Bluegrass Boys, 7 p.m.
Aug. 2: Jeff Whitlow and the Old Barn Band, 6-8 p.m.
Aug. 9: The Orr Sisters, 6 p.m.; Kenn Orr, 7 p.m.
Aug. 16: LaChelle Hood, 6 p.m.; Bob Walters Banned, 7 p.m.
Aug. 23: Susan Hood, 6 p.m.; Crosspoints Worship Band, 7 p.m.
Aug. 30: Gary McKenzie and Satchel Tweed, 6 p.m.: vocal showcase featuring students of Studio La Bella Voce, 7 p.m.
Sept. 6: The C.O. Jones Band, 6-8 p.m.
Movies in the Park
The free Movies in the Park screenings will begin June 5 with “Raiders of the Lost Ark” at Founders Park at Old State Bank. The family-friendly films will begin at dusk. Other films include:
June 21: “Where the Wild Things Are,” Rhodes Ferry Park
July 17: “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,” Delano Park
Aug. 6: “Million Dollar Duck,” Point Mallard Park
Aug. 21: “The Princess and the Frog,” Point Mallard Park
Aug. 28: “The Perfect Game,” Wilson Morgan Park
Sept. 11: “The Wizard of Oz,” Founders Park
Sept. 2: “Bedtime Stories,” Rhodes Ferry Park
For more information, call 341-4818 or see decaturparks.com/eventsMoviesintheParks.asp.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
City loan may list Ingalls pavilion
By Evan Belanger, Staff Writer, The Decatur Daily
The city of Decatur could jump-start construction of a 25,000-square-foot pavilion at Ingalls Harbor by fronting up to $2.8 million to cover the project’s cost.
The City Council will consider Monday a resolution calling for the city to advance funds for additional facilities at the city-owned harbor on the Tennessee River.
Requested by the local visitors bureau and the Hospitality Association, the improvements are intended to expand use of the facility beyond its primary function as a popular site for fishing tournaments.
Specifics call for construction of a large pavilion capable of seating 750 people at tables and a maximum of 1,500 people without tables.
The proposal also includes additional parking, lighting, irrigation, landscaping and electrical work.
Director of General Services Wally Terry said the project would satisfy the city’s need for a large meeting place.
“We have long needed a space to house more than 300 or 400 people,” he said.
“We’ve had gatherings with some of our companies — Nucor and others — that wanted to have their meetings here and we just didn’t have a space big enough.”
Repayment
According to the resolution, any money fronted by the city would be paid back from revenue generated by the Hospitality Association’s $2-per-night hotel room occupancy fee.
“It’s kind of like they buy a car for us, and we pay the payments,” said Tami Reist, president of the Convention and Visitors Bureau.
It was not clear Tuesday how the city would structure the debt.
During a work session Monday, city officials discussed using funds from a $4.9 million surplus left from previous fiscal years.
“That way they don’t have to go to the bond market, because unfortunately, it costs so much to go to the bond market that it’s not worth it for $2.8 million,” Councilman Gary Hammon said.
However, that proposal is expected to draw opposition from Councilmen Ronny Russell and Billy Jackson, who claim city officials artificially created the surplus by reinterpreting the city’s financial-reserve policy last year.
Also, the proposed resolution leaves the city the option of reimbursing the debt through a future bond issue, but multiple city officials have described that as a precautionary measure.
Terry said Tuesday he was not aware of any immediate plans for a bond issue or a bank loan.
It was also unclear Tuesday how long paying off the debt would take.
Reist said the room-occupancy fee is expected to generate about $400,000 this year, and that about $167,000 of that would go toward paying off existing debt associated with Ingalls Harbor.
She said she is confident that the fund can support both the proposed and existing debt, estimating the combined annual payment would be about $340,000 if the city borrows the money.
Terry said the city has yet to determine a payoff schedule, which would likely be decided later as project progresses.
The resolution is expected to pass the council Monday.
“I think it will, but let me say that’s based on me being supportive and my hope that the other councilmen will be, too,” said Council President Greg Reeves.
The city of Decatur could jump-start construction of a 25,000-square-foot pavilion at Ingalls Harbor by fronting up to $2.8 million to cover the project’s cost.
The City Council will consider Monday a resolution calling for the city to advance funds for additional facilities at the city-owned harbor on the Tennessee River.
Requested by the local visitors bureau and the Hospitality Association, the improvements are intended to expand use of the facility beyond its primary function as a popular site for fishing tournaments.
Specifics call for construction of a large pavilion capable of seating 750 people at tables and a maximum of 1,500 people without tables.
The proposal also includes additional parking, lighting, irrigation, landscaping and electrical work.
Director of General Services Wally Terry said the project would satisfy the city’s need for a large meeting place.
“We have long needed a space to house more than 300 or 400 people,” he said.
“We’ve had gatherings with some of our companies — Nucor and others — that wanted to have their meetings here and we just didn’t have a space big enough.”
Repayment
According to the resolution, any money fronted by the city would be paid back from revenue generated by the Hospitality Association’s $2-per-night hotel room occupancy fee.
“It’s kind of like they buy a car for us, and we pay the payments,” said Tami Reist, president of the Convention and Visitors Bureau.
It was not clear Tuesday how the city would structure the debt.
During a work session Monday, city officials discussed using funds from a $4.9 million surplus left from previous fiscal years.
“That way they don’t have to go to the bond market, because unfortunately, it costs so much to go to the bond market that it’s not worth it for $2.8 million,” Councilman Gary Hammon said.
However, that proposal is expected to draw opposition from Councilmen Ronny Russell and Billy Jackson, who claim city officials artificially created the surplus by reinterpreting the city’s financial-reserve policy last year.
Also, the proposed resolution leaves the city the option of reimbursing the debt through a future bond issue, but multiple city officials have described that as a precautionary measure.
Terry said Tuesday he was not aware of any immediate plans for a bond issue or a bank loan.
It was also unclear Tuesday how long paying off the debt would take.
Reist said the room-occupancy fee is expected to generate about $400,000 this year, and that about $167,000 of that would go toward paying off existing debt associated with Ingalls Harbor.
She said she is confident that the fund can support both the proposed and existing debt, estimating the combined annual payment would be about $340,000 if the city borrows the money.
Terry said the city has yet to determine a payoff schedule, which would likely be decided later as project progresses.
The resolution is expected to pass the council Monday.
“I think it will, but let me say that’s based on me being supportive and my hope that the other councilmen will be, too,” said Council President Greg Reeves.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Dream coming to Ingalls
International bass tourney to be held in US for first time
By Catherine Godbey, Staff Writer, The Decatur Daily
A U.S. congressman, an Alabama state senator and local leaders gathered at Ingalls Harbor Friday. The attraction — Koto Kiriyama, a professional angler originally from Japan.
“Wheeler Lake was chosen and selected for the launch of the inaugural American Dream Tournament, marking the first time the international bass fishing tournament will be held in the United States,” announced Tami Reist, president of the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.
U.S. Rep. Parker Griffith, R-Huntsville, called the tournament a recruiting tool.
State Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, described it as an international relationship builder.
For Kiriyama, the competition’s organizer, the tournament is about bridging two nations.
“This is about connecting people and having more of a cultural understanding between Japan and the United States,” Kiriyama said. “I have loved fishing since I was 5. My whole life is about bass fishing. When I moved here 15 years ago, I didn’t speak any English and bass fishing helped me survive. I met a lot of good people who helped me learn the language and culture.”
Winners of the inaugural tournament, scheduled for Oct. 23 and 24, will receive an all-expenses paid trip to Japan’s Lake Biwa, linking Kiriyama’s adopted country with his native country.
Officials expect more than 100 two-man teams to compete for the trip to the lake, where an angler caught a record-tying largemouth bass weighing more than 22 pounds.
The 2010 competition will be the fourth annual American Dreams Tournament.
North Alabama’s reputation for bass fishing and the support from the area’s tourism officials landed Ingalls Harbor the hosting duties, said Kiriyama, a six-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier and champion of the Bassmaster Elite Series Tournament at Lake Erie.
Originally held in Japan, the tournament awarded the winning team with a trip to fish at the BassCat Invitational in Arkansas.
“The winners come back and talk about how they are able to widen their view of life, and this is what I would like to achieve,” Kiriyama said. “I want to make Decatur an international city and help people understand other cultures.”
The tournament further strengthens an already strong relationship between Decatur and Japan, said Orr, citing the presence of Toray, Daikin and Toyota in the Tennessee Valley.
Along with cultural and industrial benefits, the tournament will produce financial benefits.
“The tournament is expected to provide an economic boost to the local economy through revenues generated by lodging, dining and retail sales, and the international exposure generated from hosting the event will further elevate Wheeler Lake into the fishing spotlight,” Reist said.
Since Ingalls Harbor opened in 2006, Decatur’s fishing reputation has climbed, capturing the industry’s attention and attracting regional and national tournaments.
So far, tournaments hosted at Ingalls Harbor have translated into an economic impact of $4 million.
For more information or to register for the tournament visit www.kotaamericandream.com or www.decatursports.com.
By Catherine Godbey, Staff Writer, The Decatur Daily
A U.S. congressman, an Alabama state senator and local leaders gathered at Ingalls Harbor Friday. The attraction — Koto Kiriyama, a professional angler originally from Japan.
“Wheeler Lake was chosen and selected for the launch of the inaugural American Dream Tournament, marking the first time the international bass fishing tournament will be held in the United States,” announced Tami Reist, president of the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.
U.S. Rep. Parker Griffith, R-Huntsville, called the tournament a recruiting tool.
State Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, described it as an international relationship builder.
For Kiriyama, the competition’s organizer, the tournament is about bridging two nations.
“This is about connecting people and having more of a cultural understanding between Japan and the United States,” Kiriyama said. “I have loved fishing since I was 5. My whole life is about bass fishing. When I moved here 15 years ago, I didn’t speak any English and bass fishing helped me survive. I met a lot of good people who helped me learn the language and culture.”
Winners of the inaugural tournament, scheduled for Oct. 23 and 24, will receive an all-expenses paid trip to Japan’s Lake Biwa, linking Kiriyama’s adopted country with his native country.
Officials expect more than 100 two-man teams to compete for the trip to the lake, where an angler caught a record-tying largemouth bass weighing more than 22 pounds.
The 2010 competition will be the fourth annual American Dreams Tournament.
North Alabama’s reputation for bass fishing and the support from the area’s tourism officials landed Ingalls Harbor the hosting duties, said Kiriyama, a six-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier and champion of the Bassmaster Elite Series Tournament at Lake Erie.
Originally held in Japan, the tournament awarded the winning team with a trip to fish at the BassCat Invitational in Arkansas.
“The winners come back and talk about how they are able to widen their view of life, and this is what I would like to achieve,” Kiriyama said. “I want to make Decatur an international city and help people understand other cultures.”
The tournament further strengthens an already strong relationship between Decatur and Japan, said Orr, citing the presence of Toray, Daikin and Toyota in the Tennessee Valley.
Along with cultural and industrial benefits, the tournament will produce financial benefits.
“The tournament is expected to provide an economic boost to the local economy through revenues generated by lodging, dining and retail sales, and the international exposure generated from hosting the event will further elevate Wheeler Lake into the fishing spotlight,” Reist said.
Since Ingalls Harbor opened in 2006, Decatur’s fishing reputation has climbed, capturing the industry’s attention and attracting regional and national tournaments.
So far, tournaments hosted at Ingalls Harbor have translated into an economic impact of $4 million.
For more information or to register for the tournament visit www.kotaamericandream.com or www.decatursports.com.
Friday, April 23, 2010
New arena owner has racking horse crowd celebrating
By Paul Huggins, Staff Writer, The Decatur Daily
PRICEVILLE — The 38-year-old Morgan County Celebration Arena has been called a broken-down old horse barn.
Some saddle-bred horse owners once described it as too unsafe to keep their horses there, and its former owner admitted it didn’t have the money to keep up with maintenance.
So why are participants at this week’s Racking Horse Spring Celebration beaming with the same sense of optimism their predecessors did when the facility opened in the early 1970s?
After three decades of unfulfilled promises to make the arena capable of hosting much more than horse shows, the new owner, the state Products Mart Authority, has shown it will make good on its promises.
Facility improvements, and the stated vision for as much as $1 million in additional improvements, are among the reasons the Racking Horse Breeders Association of America feels it is at the threshold of a new era, said Chris Walker, association president.
For starters, Products Mart, which bought the arena and the surrounding 218 acres in December, has built a covered warm-up arena. That had been on the association’s wish list for 10 years, Walker said, but it never had the funding.
In addition, the new owner made improvements to basic and longstanding needs, he said.
There’s a new water system, which is bringing adequate water pressure to all the barns. The concession stand received a thorough cleaning, and truckloads of fresh gravel helped smooth out ruts and pot holes around the property.
The first World Celebration was held in Birmingham, but the racking horse association’s founder, Joe Bright, and three local doctors built the Southeastern Horse Center giving the breed a permanent home from which to grow.’
Outdoor ring
It started as an outdoor ring. Then a roof covered the track, and in 1975, at a cost of $96,000, the walls were added, enclosing a 316-by-225-foot area.
At that time, it touted itself as the largest horse arena in the Southeast.
During its first decade, it hosted motorcycle races, tractor pulls, bluegrass festivals, 4-H competitions and flea markets, in addition to several large horse shows. In 1980, billionaire and former presidential candidate Ross Perot visited the arena to watch his walking horse compete.
But as early as 1982, the owners wanted out, and two years later they gave the facility to the Boys Club of Decatur. The club hired a full-time manager to promote the arena, and 1985 showed promise.
That year, country music stars Waylon Jennings, Charlie Daniels, Lee Greenwood, Sawyer Brown and B.J. Thomas performed there, as did the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
But the arena went through three separate owners by 1990, with each aiming to bring in more events between horse shows. One owner even spoke of adding air-conditioned sky boxes and two restaurants.
Despite unfulfilled promises in the past, the RHBAA is confident Products Mart will not fail, Walker said.
Enthusiasm is apparent in the barns, where rented stalls for horses increased significantly this year. Last year’s Spring Celebration filled 180 to 200 stalls. This year’s event filled about 300.
Ed Monroe, Products Mart chairman, said he believes the arena can be in use every weekend if managed and equipped properly. He envisions it hosting high school graduations, large family reunions, concerts, motocross, tractor pulls and other sporting events.
‘Diamond in the rough’
“It’s just a diamond in the rough that hasn’t been polished in a good while,” he said.
Once the arena starts showing its full potential, Monroe said, it will be easier to get more investment from local groups and governments as well as state and federal grants.
His vision calls for repairing leaks in the roof, hooking up to natural gas so heaters can be installed and used for winter events, renovating restrooms, putting in new bleachers, installing powerful air return systems to allow events like tractor pulls that stir up a lot of dirt, and painting the entire facility.
“I guess our ultimate goal is to get grant money and build a new (agriculture) center that will be nicer,” he said. “But we’re going to maintain the one we got now and keep it in use.
“We’ve been promised a lot of help from state and federal (governments),” Monroe said. “If that transpires, we’ll be able to have that a showplace within a year or so.”
PRICEVILLE — The 38-year-old Morgan County Celebration Arena has been called a broken-down old horse barn.
Some saddle-bred horse owners once described it as too unsafe to keep their horses there, and its former owner admitted it didn’t have the money to keep up with maintenance.
So why are participants at this week’s Racking Horse Spring Celebration beaming with the same sense of optimism their predecessors did when the facility opened in the early 1970s?
After three decades of unfulfilled promises to make the arena capable of hosting much more than horse shows, the new owner, the state Products Mart Authority, has shown it will make good on its promises.
Facility improvements, and the stated vision for as much as $1 million in additional improvements, are among the reasons the Racking Horse Breeders Association of America feels it is at the threshold of a new era, said Chris Walker, association president.
For starters, Products Mart, which bought the arena and the surrounding 218 acres in December, has built a covered warm-up arena. That had been on the association’s wish list for 10 years, Walker said, but it never had the funding.
In addition, the new owner made improvements to basic and longstanding needs, he said.
There’s a new water system, which is bringing adequate water pressure to all the barns. The concession stand received a thorough cleaning, and truckloads of fresh gravel helped smooth out ruts and pot holes around the property.
The first World Celebration was held in Birmingham, but the racking horse association’s founder, Joe Bright, and three local doctors built the Southeastern Horse Center giving the breed a permanent home from which to grow.’
Outdoor ring
It started as an outdoor ring. Then a roof covered the track, and in 1975, at a cost of $96,000, the walls were added, enclosing a 316-by-225-foot area.
At that time, it touted itself as the largest horse arena in the Southeast.
During its first decade, it hosted motorcycle races, tractor pulls, bluegrass festivals, 4-H competitions and flea markets, in addition to several large horse shows. In 1980, billionaire and former presidential candidate Ross Perot visited the arena to watch his walking horse compete.
But as early as 1982, the owners wanted out, and two years later they gave the facility to the Boys Club of Decatur. The club hired a full-time manager to promote the arena, and 1985 showed promise.
That year, country music stars Waylon Jennings, Charlie Daniels, Lee Greenwood, Sawyer Brown and B.J. Thomas performed there, as did the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
But the arena went through three separate owners by 1990, with each aiming to bring in more events between horse shows. One owner even spoke of adding air-conditioned sky boxes and two restaurants.
Despite unfulfilled promises in the past, the RHBAA is confident Products Mart will not fail, Walker said.
Enthusiasm is apparent in the barns, where rented stalls for horses increased significantly this year. Last year’s Spring Celebration filled 180 to 200 stalls. This year’s event filled about 300.
Ed Monroe, Products Mart chairman, said he believes the arena can be in use every weekend if managed and equipped properly. He envisions it hosting high school graduations, large family reunions, concerts, motocross, tractor pulls and other sporting events.
‘Diamond in the rough’
“It’s just a diamond in the rough that hasn’t been polished in a good while,” he said.
Once the arena starts showing its full potential, Monroe said, it will be easier to get more investment from local groups and governments as well as state and federal grants.
His vision calls for repairing leaks in the roof, hooking up to natural gas so heaters can be installed and used for winter events, renovating restrooms, putting in new bleachers, installing powerful air return systems to allow events like tractor pulls that stir up a lot of dirt, and painting the entire facility.
“I guess our ultimate goal is to get grant money and build a new (agriculture) center that will be nicer,” he said. “But we’re going to maintain the one we got now and keep it in use.
“We’ve been promised a lot of help from state and federal (governments),” Monroe said. “If that transpires, we’ll be able to have that a showplace within a year or so.”
Meeting Notes
Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau
By Paul Huggins, Staff Writer, The Decatur Daily
The Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau board of directors conducted the following business during its monthly meeting Thursday.
•Reported the city collected in $49,077 in lodging taxes in January, a 10 percent increase compared to the same month in 2009. It was the first monthly increase of fiscal 2010. Officials attributed the increase to contractors brought in by Nucor Steel and the Tennessee Valley Authority to work on plant outages.
•Reported the room occupancy rate citywide for January was 33 percent, up 1 percent from the same month last year.
•Reported the $2-per-night room occupancy fee generated $27,063 in January, which was $190 more than the same month last year. For the fiscal year, the fee has generated $190,951.
•Reported the bureau had $40,189 in revenue in March compared to $44,754 in expenses, for a net loss of $4,565. Total revenue for fiscal 2010 was $273,293 compared to $322,829 in expenses for a net loss of $49,536.
•Reported special events in March filled 541 room nights for an economic impact of $323,895.
•Passed a resolution to send a letter of recommendation to the Decatur City Council in favor of it adopting Garth-Dancy Cemetery for its historic value.
By Paul Huggins, Staff Writer, The Decatur Daily
The Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau board of directors conducted the following business during its monthly meeting Thursday.
•Reported the city collected in $49,077 in lodging taxes in January, a 10 percent increase compared to the same month in 2009. It was the first monthly increase of fiscal 2010. Officials attributed the increase to contractors brought in by Nucor Steel and the Tennessee Valley Authority to work on plant outages.
•Reported the room occupancy rate citywide for January was 33 percent, up 1 percent from the same month last year.
•Reported the $2-per-night room occupancy fee generated $27,063 in January, which was $190 more than the same month last year. For the fiscal year, the fee has generated $190,951.
•Reported the bureau had $40,189 in revenue in March compared to $44,754 in expenses, for a net loss of $4,565. Total revenue for fiscal 2010 was $273,293 compared to $322,829 in expenses for a net loss of $49,536.
•Reported special events in March filled 541 room nights for an economic impact of $323,895.
•Passed a resolution to send a letter of recommendation to the Decatur City Council in favor of it adopting Garth-Dancy Cemetery for its historic value.
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