Friday, Aug. 5, 2005 | ||
Bad Links? | Tennis center wont turn profit this yearBy JOHN MUNFORD Although the Peachtree City Tourism Association will operate at a net profit this year, the Peachtree City Tennis Center is not projected to do so. With three months left in the budget year, the association is expected to end with a final balance of $14,199, with the $108,298 loss from the tennis center covered by $121,604 in profit from the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater. Tourism officials are hopeful that the success of the Right On Thyme restaurant opening at the tennis center will boost profits in the coming budget year, for which a $93,598 deficit is predicted. Significant progress has also been made in attracting tournaments to the facility through the efforts of Tennis Center Manager David Gary, association member Bernie McMullen said at a special called meeting Wednesday. Although the predicted deficit for the tennis center next year is significant, it is also an improvement from the projection for the current year, McMullen added. Were not going to get this ship turned around in one year, McMullen said. At Wednesdays meeting, the association approved its $3.034 million budget for the coming fiscal year. Of the $673,275 general fund budget, $150,000 is dedicated to Peachtree City sponsored tourism events, another $381,019 is for association tourism events and expenses, and $133,255 is the amount that must be transferred to the Airport Authority from the citys hotel-motel tax revenues. The $1.57 million amphitheater budget includes the regular two summer concert series at the amphitheater and five additional spotlight concerts. A total profit of more than $165,000 is planned for the amphitheater, but a $93,598 loss is projected for the tennis center. The tennis center has a budget of $798,598 but is only projected to earn $705,000 in revenue. More than $10,000 in the budget is necessary for repairing the locker rooms at the tennis center and another $14,500 in improvements is planned for the amphitheater, including replacing the kitchen grill, a new ice machine and replacing gutters and downspouts. The associations executive director position is also fully funded in the budget, although the position has been vacant since former executive director Linda McCarthy left in June. Since then, the venues have been run by their respective directors and association members have worked more closely with staff on a regular basis. The association also voted to approve a request for a $20,000 contribution to this years Great Georgia Airshow at Falcon Field. The event is expected to draw 20,000 people with good weather and as many as 200 room nights in local hotels. The air shows profits are split equally between the Kiwanis Club of Peachtree City and the Dixie Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, which provided startup loans for the event. The funds are used by both groups for their nonprofit programs. The air show is slated for Oct. 8-9 this year. Association Chairman Murray Weed said while $20,000 is a lot of money, he was concerned about the appearance of the association using funds to attract similar events when the tennis center isnt breaking even financially. Weed said it is important to remember that the tourism funds come from a separate pot of money than the tennis center funds. I just have a concern that the public doesnt recognize that, Weed said. McMullen added that tourism development is the third leg of the association, along with operating the tennis center and amphitheater. The air show will bring hotel guests here, which provides hotel-motel tax revenue, and guests will eat at local restaurants, he added. In my mind, thats what were here for. Thats part of our mission, McMullen said.
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