Hope Tourism Commission

The Hope Tourism Commission met Tuesday at the Fair Park Community Center for their March meeting.  There were many themes covered and some repeat of themes covered in the previous meeting such as Train Day/Trade Day question.  This involves the combining of the two for insurance purposes but with Train Day being emphasized. Commission er juan Rivera was back from his son being married and his Commission Position was discussed and the question was raised whether it was a 2 year or 4 year term. This was tabled until the period was made certain.  The issue was about appointing Rivera for another term.

The next item was the Kelly Field Lighting Project.  This would either start or finish after the watermelon festival as the festival takes priority. There were three bids for the Lighting Project and the one chosen, Green Valley Electric out of Gurdon ran $29,900 above what had been budgeted.  The spending increase was approved.

The long-term plans for the Park were then discussed.  This was a large part of the meeting. City Manager J.R. Wilson mentioned having visited Sherwood that has a very nice park paid for with bond money.  Wilson said that typically small projects are done because of a lack of funds. He said that a bond could be raised that would allow a number of things to be addressed at once. Wilson mentioned the idea of a $2,000,000 project that would address fencing, lighting, turf fields and concrete.  He stated that bank loans can be done for a 1-2 year period while bonds can be financed over a 5 year period.  The issue would be what the city could afford to make payments on and what it would have to give up. Sharon Caldwell, the Chair of the Commission stated that she had received comments from people saying that if the fields were turfed people would play on them.  The park is the biggest tourism driver of the city – Springhill and Blevins both come in to use it.  The use is free but people come in and spend money in the city while they are visiting the park.

Next there was discussion of the ice rink and how it would cost $20,000 to double it. There was $15,000 unused for Christmas decorations last year and that money could be used instead for the ice rink. The purpose of trash bags to cover the hay and keep it from flopping was suggested and approved.  The statement was made that it would also dress up the appearance.

For the Citizen Concern Gary Johnson presented a picture of Elvis before he was famous and received a check for $180 in return for it. This picture shows Elvis playing in the Auditorium in 1955 when the price of admission was one whole bread wrapper.  With the lack of an audience it was assumed that he would never be famous. This picture will reside in Klipsch Auditorium. Another item of business as air conditioning for the Arts Council which doesn’t function right now.  The low bid to fix is $4,178 which was approved.

Wilson mentioned the idea of outside groups being able to lease out the softball concessions if they are not already leased out.