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Two $5K gifts bolster convention center study

By Anthony McConnell

This document was published online on Monday, October 15, 2007

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Two $5,000 contributions have put the new events/convention center feasibility study back on track.

Engineering Associates and the Stampede Board each made $5,000 contributions Friday.

“It's fantastic that the private sector is going to step up and help fund this study,” City Administrator Andy Whiteman said. “It gets us closer to our goal. The sooner we can get this study completed, the sooner we can get answers for everyone.”

The two contributions leave $2,500 still to be raised.

The study will analyze the income and expenses of an events/convention center and other operational details.

In addition to the two $5,000 donations, the city appropriated $10,000 for the study and another $7,500 has been raised separately for the $30,000 study.

“We see our contribution as a challenge to get other businesses in the community to step up,” said Theresa Gunn, EA chief financial and marketing officer. “We would like to see the study go forward without delay.”

The Stampede Board made its decision to fund the study at their meeting Friday and was unaware of EA's contribution, board member Tim Mahieu said.

The board contributed to a similar study about 10 years ago and “wanted to stay active in the process,” he added.

“We feel an events/convention center would be advantageous for the community, especially people associated with rodeo or livestock,” Mahieu said.

The board is interested in the center because it could be used for livestock shows and sales, and other rodeo-related events during the winter, board member Chip Richard said.

“We thought it was the right thing to do,” he added.

An events center “will draw visitors to Cody during the tourism offseason and boost our economy year round,” Gunn said.

“Cody's growing like crazy,” she added. “This is just one avenue we can take to (help) the offseason.”

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