Published: August 19, 2008 11:43 pm            

City seeks Point promoter

Johnstown administrators are looking for some help to promote the newly renovated Point Stadium.

City Council has decided to solicit proposals from outside entities that may be willing to market the stadium, which some envision as an entertainment venue that can draw a variety of community gatherings.

“We’ve done a good job at getting sports in there,” City Manager Curt Davis said.

“Now we need to look at other things.”

With a renovation cost of about $11 million, the Point was pitched as a “multipurpose” event center that could attract crowds downtown and generate much-needed revenue.

But while the Point has been heavily and successfully used by sports teams, there have been only a handful of events that were not sports-related.

Officials say the city’s budgetary constraints and limited staffing make it difficult to adequately promote the stadium for concerts and other functions.

Under a proposal introduced by Councilman Jack Williams, the city will – with state assistance – develop a proposal to contract out the stadium’s marketing duties.

“That’s something to find out what may be available to the city,” Williams said. “It doesn’t mean we have to do it.”

Williams’ proposal calls for an outside agency to take over “event promotions, scheduling and management of stadium facilities,” but that may be subject to interpretation.

Davis said he’s interested in promotional opportunities but likely will not hand over the keys to Point Stadium.

“I’m not going to give up control of it,” he said.

        

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