We have a white elephant here in Central Louisiana. The Rapides Parish Coliseum. What can we do with it? Tear it down? Fix it up? Give it to the City?
Lets be blunt. The influx of Casino’s around the state have drawn the attractions to them. Mix gambling with pleasure. All the big names go to the casino’s.
The days of big name attractions coming to the Coliseum are gone. Sports shows and home shows are not drawing the crowds they use to.
There are perhaps four or five succesful events that come each year. Wrestling, Rap, Mud trucks, Circus, Rodeo, etc.
Also gun shows and cheap closeout vendors. Even the big Catholic meeting (Steubenville) has moved downtown.
Is there a future for the complex? Perhaps extra revenue could be generated by selling the name rights to some large corporation such as, hell…., I have no idea.. who would invest in such a little venue. Maybe Mercedes,Ford, International House of Pancakes? (Not likely.)
To turn it over to the city would just transfer more expense on the yearly budget. Places like that now-a-day operate at a continual deficit.
If the city’s promotion of downtown has any reflection on their performance record… Just think what they could do with the Coliseum. (Zero.)
Is it worth the money to revamp the venue? From a business stand point,I do not think so…Is there a way out of this money pit? What do you think? Or care…… for that matter??
Alex
