The twists and turns surrounding programs and leases at the Crawford Center continues.
A circus recently approved for a one-day engagement has backed out due to cost and lack of insurance, Steve Dreher, Shawano County building maintenance manager, told the public property committee on April 4.
However, the committee did approve a repeat deal with Shooting Sports, a 4-H event, to return May 10-11.
While a new lease with the Shawano County Agricultural Society was approved for the fairgrounds, renewing the lease with the Shawano Hockey League to use the Crawford Center for its home during the winter is still being discussed.
“The hockey league would be asking for a longer lease,” Dreher said. “Their current term when they’re elected to the board is two years, so I would be hesitant to give them a five-year lease when the president is only going to be there two years.”
The last lease, which ended April 6, was for one year. Dreher said he was told it’s difficult for the hockey league to plan on tournaments a couple years in the future when they don’t know if they will have a lease for the building.
Elections for a new hockey board will be held in May.
Dreher suggested the lease coincide with the length of the term of office for the hockey league president.
Committee also continued to discuss a lease for operating the Crawford Center when the hockey league lease ends each spring.
Kevin Helmuth, vice president of the hockey league, said earlier he, through one of his businesses, would guarantee the utilities and then would also pay the person hired to market the Crawford Center to help make it a more profitable venue.
“We would give them a fixed amount with the understanding that anything over in costs of operations … he would also be responsible for,” Dreher said.
Supervisor Randy Young inquired about whether the Crawford Center could be used for wedding receptions and other large events, noting the announcement that The Gathering banquet hall will soon shut down.
Dreher said Chuck Dallas, head of the Shawano Chapter of the Wisconsin Deerhunters Inc., inquired about using the Crawford Center for a sportsman’s expo and banquet. Dreher noted such uses require the renter to provide all tables and chairs, the catering in of food, and getting appropriate liquor licensing from the city of Shawano.
He said the Shawano County, if it got into the business of hosting such events, would have to decide whether to invest in a large commercial kitchen or continue to have renters cater all events.
Just to add another twist, Dreher noted he recently received a cold call from someone inquiring about purchasing the Crawford Center.
“The word had gotten out somehow that the county was interested in selling this facility,” he said. “This guy who is interested runs a multinational security service business, doing a lot of things for military bases and stuff like that. He’s got offices in Iraq, Afghanistan, stuff like that, an armored car leasing business, some other stuff.”
The business CEO is local, Dreher said.
Committee members said it wouldn’t hurt to follow up and get more details.
Regardless, nothing could happen until 2025 due to the commitments already made for 2024.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
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