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Jim, does this mean the coliseum now turns a profit? If so can you talk to Matt and get him to scale back on the $6 parking fees and $5 hotdogs?

The citizens of Greensboro would appreciate it.

Regards,
Hugh

I would like to see Mr. Melvin use his clout to bring an AHL team back to Greensboro. I think the effort with an ECHL franchise was doomed from the beginning.

Approach Peter Karmanos to solicit his support, Mr. Melvin. A Hurricanes AHL affiliate 90 miles down the road playing in the Greensboro Coliseum makes a lot of sense.

Has the city of GSO recouped the $$$ lost due to Matt's "behind the scenes" deal with the defunct Greensboro General?

I mean poor Bill Black just does not have the money to pay his debt to the City, yet he can still keep his automobile dealerships going! Remember this folks when you are purchasing an automobile...poor Bill Black.

hugh, I am in agreement with you on the coliseum. This Triad resident cannot afford the parking, concessions, and ticket prices. While I realize the coliseum is not responsible for the ticket prices, the coliseum is responsible for parking/concession prices!

I hope that the "number of citizens" that benefits financially from the next three weekends will come forth and share some of that wealth! Many of us "other citizens" could sure use other means to support ourselves.

Shalom

Has the city of GSO recouped the $$$ lost due to Matt's "behind the scenes" deal with the defunct Greensboro General?

I mean poor Bill Black just does not have the money to pay his debt to the City, yet he can still keep his automobile dealerships going! Remember this folks when you are purchasing an automobile...poor Bill Black.

hugh, I am in agreement with you on the coliseum. This Triad resident cannot afford the parking, concessions, and ticket prices. While I realize the coliseum is not responsible for the ticket prices, the coliseum is responsible for parking/concession prices!

I hope that the "number of citizens" that benefits financially from the next three weekends will come forth and share some of that wealth! Many of us "other citizens" could sure use other means to support ourselves.

Shalom

I went to the boat show last weekend and parking was $3. I've gone to other events where it was $6. I guess the mens ACC games will command $12. Isn't that damned parking lot paid for yet?

Darryl, a ray of sunshine for you, we agree on something. I agree on the Black thing, there were also others involved too. What a sham.

I don't buy concessions there either, $3 for a watered down Coke just ain't worth it.

Dan, as for our agreeing on something here, that is not totally "foreign." It primarily depends upon the issue. I would just like to note that I am not the one who stays within the confines of one set group or label. I strive to view issues with "glasses" that are not defined as being aligned with any one specific group/label.

Shalom

Sorry Darryl, I wear contact lenses, not "glasses".

I will proudly say I stick to the confines of who I am, a conservative. It is who I am and there is no way I change that. Kinda like gays can't change either right?

That being said, I understand and welcome other points of view. If not I would never participate in this blog.

Glad we can agree on something again. The Black et al thing was a sham and a waste of taxpayer $$. Shalom to you too.

Serious question: Aren't concession prices ridiculously high at almost any venue with a captive audience, e.g., other arenas, movie theaters, etc?

I know I paid $3 for a coke at the Dean Dome on Sunday, and getting popcorn and drinks for two kids at the movies cost more than the tickets.

Ditto parking fees -- a quick trip to Google shows them to be roughly comparable at other arenas in this area.

My understanding is that concessions and parking are often the main source of revenue for the Coliseum, with the promoter taking the lion's share of the gate.

We all hate it. And as noted above, it's worse when you bring the kids...but why does the Greensboro Coliseum get singled out for abuse on this?

Because it's a City facility, and people think it should have better prices? If so, would they feel that way if lower concession and parking prices led to more red ink in the operating budget?

Ed,

I agree with you. I don't care if they charge $50 an hour for parking because I never go there. That, in my opinion, is better than charging me each year through taxes for something that I never enjoy. Let the people who go there foot the bill.

And, for the record, I have lived in Greensboro for over two decades and have never been able to afford a ticket at the ACC tournament.

"Affording" a ticket to the ACC is an interesting concept -- how many actually go on sale to the public? How many of those are sold through the box office of the host facility?

(I'm talking men's tourney here.)

Aren't most ACC tix doled out by the member schools, via their high dollar booster clubs?

It's great to have the tourney here, it brings in lots of revenue for a Coliseum that needs it, brings in tourism and tax dollars too, along with tons of valuable publicity for Greensboro (I once wrote a column for which I talked to a sports marketer who quantified the value of all those screen shots and mentions of our name -- soft, soft numbers, but still the concept is valid).

It is not, though, like the circus or the boat show, open to the general public in some meaningful way.

Ed, et al, I think that the main gripe has been hit upon; the GSO Coliseum being a CITY facility! If the people's tax dollars built/renovate/pay upkeep, then why should some of those very same people be charged a fee to park there for an event?

Have not the basic taxpayers paid enough? When will they stop being bled dry? That is a major concern. These parking prices, etc. are not only for events such as the sporting events being played now. These prices happen for ANY event that takes place at the Coliseum Complex.

That is like the NC High School Basketball playoffs. The Eastern & Western Regionals are being held this week. Most notably, the Western Regionals are being played in Winston-Salem at LJVM Coliseum & the LJVM Coliseum Annex. There is a $4 parking fee and an $8 admission fee. I remember when this same event was held in Hickory at Lenoir-Rhyne College. There was no parking fee assessed and the admission was a few $$ cheaper. The increase in admission I can deal with, however, with the change in venue came more add on prices that were not there previously. WHY is the larger question?

That is congruent with what is being asked in this forum, WHY?

Shalom

The City charges for use of other public facilities, such as golf courses.

Other amenities, like parks or ball fields, cost taxpayers plenty of money and aren't used by everyone.

So the general concept of City-owned and -operated facilities for recreation, including ones that charge per use, is well established, and often not at all controversial.

Yet for whatever reason, the Coliseum is a lightning rod.

If users didn't pay to park at the Coliseum, the resulting decrease in revenue would increase the operating deficit, which would be passed along to tax payers. I don't think it's unreasonable to have paid parking at the venue -- you certainly would at a privately owned facility.

Ed, you are exactly right. ACC mens tickets are doled out to the member schools and then sold to the high dollar athletic supporters. The public cannot by them lest you visit Ebay or a scalper.

I do agree with Darryl about the coliseum being a city owned facility being a difference. I have a problem also with professional teams who want cities (read: taxpayers) to dole out the $$ for stadiums, arenas, etc. I believe that is the reason the Hornets basketball team left Charlotte and went to New Orleans. Oh well they can't play there now.

I think the difference between city parks and golf courses are that private entities are not profiting from them, the fees to use them pay for staff and upkeep. The coliseum is different in that regard.

My comment about the parking lot being paid for was in jest. I realize even a parking lot needs maintenance, especially after a Jimmy Buffet concert, and a fee is appropriate.