Test-Drive Modified Seats At The Casper Events Center On Wednesday
You complained about the seats at the Casper Events Center.
Now you have the opportunity to do something about them.
The Events Center will host an open house from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday for you to sit in the modified seats, gauge their comfort, make comments, speak to management, and enter a drawing for upcoming events. The Events Center also will offer complimentary snacks and refreshments.
Last fall, Spectra Venue Management took over the management of the city-owned "Pizza Hut on the Hill" with the charge to reduce the city's approximately $1 million annual subsidy. Casper reaps about $8 million from the events there, but the city itself is on the on the hook for the building's maintenance. The company already has used its clout to bring in Snoop Dogg, Elton John, and soon Lil' Wayne.
In February, Brad Murphy of Spectra told city council his company tracked public complaints and tallied attendance and ticket sales since the new seats were installed in 2013-2014. The new seats increased the number of people who could attend events, but Spectra found their narrow and uncomfortable design drove away customers.
Murphy said improvements to seating, safety and other changes will cost $832,796.
While the city's money is tight, council members tentatively agreed to spend the money because the seating must change if the Events Center hopes to bring in more spectators and more events -- and reduce the city's subsidy.