Administrative Brief
COMMISSION INFORMATION MEMORANDUM
VOL. 30 NO. 15
May 1 , 2008
ADMINISTRATIVE BRIEF FROM KEITH RAWLINGS
As you probably know, our business cycles through the year with the busiest times running from
September through May. We are now entering the slower portion of the year, but we have been
extremely busy since the date of the last CIM in mid-December.
As you'll recall, the "ice storm of the century" hit Salina right after our last report to you. While it
caused minimal effect on the direct operation of the building, we did experience a few
cancellations. However, the biggest impact on us was on the fact that we were called upon to
feed the hundreds of electrical and tree crews brought in by Westar to deal with the catastrophe
with virtually no advanced notice. For a week, we fed three meals a day to around 500 people.
As you might imagine, the undertaking was immense as it resulted in extremely long hours for our
staff and massive "emergency" food purchases in order to meet Westar's needs. Everyone on
staff pulled together to get this done as they could see the benefit to the community to get so
many people's power back on.
We also endured yet another of Salina's version of "basketball madness" as we have just
completed our run of tournaments. We again hosted the 4A Boys' and Girls' High School
Basketball State Championship Tournament and the NJCAA Women's Division I Basketball
National Championship Tournament, (the Salina JUCO Basketball Blast) as well as the weather-
delayed conclusion of the Sacred Heart High School Blue and Gold Tournament. The first two
tournaments brought 31,000 fans, teams and workers into the Center, including the largest
attendance we've seen at a 4A high school basketball tournament since 2000. In addition, over
3,100 were in attendance at the always popular return of the Harlem Globetrotters. For reference,
we continue to host almost 100 basketball games per year! We also hosted the 4A High School
Wrestling State Championship Tournament forthe third straight year. It was extremely successful
again, bringing an estimated attendance of over 5,800 for just two days. Since our last
communication with you, we hosted the Salina Invitational Tournament and two South vs. Central
high school basketball match-ups. Off note this year, the Kansas Cagerz did not return for their
10th season of professional basketball.
In non-sporting events, we hosted the annual Chamber of Commerce Banquet featuring former
major league and hall of fame baseball player Cal Ripken, Jr., the Kansas Land Surveyor's
Conference, the No-Till On The Plains Conference, the Home and Garden Show, the Leisure
Living and Sports Show, Kansas Kids' Wrestling and the Mid-America Farm Expo. We also again
hosted two days of championship Professional Bull Riders (PBR) action, with 4,200 in attendance,
the annual "For Women Only" and Golden Years' Spring Festival and a record attendance at the
Isis Shrine Circus with 15,500 in attendance. So, as you can see, we've had a busy winter and
spring.
Coming soon will be the world famous Lipizzaner Stallions, several commencements (including
Brown Mackie, Kansas Wesleyan University, St. John's Military School, Salina Central, Salina
South and Salina Area Technical School), a large United Methodist Church conference, the
Smoky Hill River Festival and the Tri-Rivers Fair.
elM
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MONDAY'S MEETING
Enclosed are other items on the agenda. If any Commissioner has questions or cannot attend
the meeting, please contact me.
Jason A. Gage
City Manager