Group touting Civic Center work raises $86,000
A group that's trying to push voters to support the renovation of the Cumberland County Civic Center raised almost $86,000 in the last three months, according to reports filed last week with the state's ethics and elections commission.
Citizens for a Modern Civic Center is campaigning to convince Cumberland County residents to pass a $33 million bond on Nov. 8 to modernize the 34-year-old Portland arena. The group's reaching out to Portlanders as well as residents and business owners throughout the county, arguing that the $15 million to $20 million annual impact of the nonprofit Civic Center ripples out beyond the city's border.
Advocates for the renovation say the PAC's first round of donations, which were reported Oct. 5 to the state, show a breadth of support. Of the 47 contributors, 17 are from Portland. Other donations came in from Yarmouth, Scarborough, Gorham, Freeport, Falmouth and South Portland, among other communities.
The two biggest donations, $35,000 and $10,000, came from the Civic Center and the Friends of the Civic Center, respectively. Three donors gave $5,000: Lafayette Inn By the Bay (the owner of Holiday Inn By the Bay in Portland); the Portland Pirates (which is a tenant at the Civic Center); and Lyndel Wishcamper of The Wishcamper Cos. Inc. in Freeport. Wright Express in South Portland and law firm Bernstein Shur of Portland each donated $3,000.
"It's a myth that the Cumberland County Civic Center is a Portland entity," says Neal Pratt, chair of the board of trustees for the Civic Center. He says a number of the center's employees live outside Portland. Brian Petrovek, managing owner and CEO of the Portland Pirates, adds, "And our patrons aren't just citywide." Petrovek says ticket data show the Civic Center's audience comes from about 110 communities statewide, as well as New Hampshire, Canada and Massachusetts.
Although Pratt's heard arguments against borrowing money in a dismal economy for extensive renovations, he argues the center must be improved now if it is to continue attracting musical performers and other acts. "We have experienced declining competitiveness of the facility," he says. "Events and acts have passed us by." He says high-tech shows with a lot of gear prefer stadiums with better loading docks and infrastructure.
Pratt and Petrovek say the plan is to pay off the bond with projected revenues increases and a $1 surcharge on tickets, as well as with a $1 million annual contribution from the Cumberland County commissioners from a retired jail debt.
The renovation plans include expanding restrooms, increasing the concourse and adding premium seating. More concessions stands will be added, leading to smaller waiting times, Pratt says, and handicap seating and accessibility will be upgraded. The loading dock will also be expanded to allow acts easier access and faster pack-up times.
The renovation, which would start as soon as possible, according to Crystal Canney, a campaign spokeswoman, would create 175 construction jobs.
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