Carlson Center 2.0

CARLSON CENTER 2.0

The Fairbanks Carlson Center Visionary Plan

Section I: Executive Summary On June 13, 1990 the Fairbanks North Star Borough opened the doors to the John A. Carlson Community Activity Center (Carlson Center). Originally designed to be a hub of community activity for the residents of Fairbanks, it has operated for over 30 years as a large-event venue, a trade show/ conference space, home ice of the UAF Nanooks, and a gathering place for a variety of community uses.

Since its very beginning, the Carlson Center has been owned by the Fairbanks North Star Borough (Borough) and managed through a modified third-party contract. Most recently, it has been managed

by ASM Global, formerly SMG of Alaska.

The last extension of the existing contract between the Borough and ASM Global terminates on June 30, 2021. The Borough is faced with an important decision: how should the Carlson Center be managed moving forward?

Beginning in June 2020, the Borough Parks and Recreation Department contracted with a private consulting firm to help determine the answer to that question. The goal of the public study was to asses whether the Borough should look to engage with another private management contract, take over the management internally, or should the Borough consider closing or selling the facility.

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The majority of respondents to the statistically valid survey indicated that they preferred that the Borough assume the management of the facility directly, make it more of a community center in operation, and make it more affordable to the community to use and enjoy.

It is with those key goals in mind that this plan has been developed. We have tried to make this plan easy to understand yet comprehensive.

Operational Management The Carlson Center will be operated as a subdivision of the newly created Riverside Division. In addition to the Carlson Center, the Riverside Division will include the historic 44-acre Pioneer Park.

The two properties are adjacent to each other, and each will be strengthened by the other, utilizing staffing and equipment much more efficiently.

Riverside Superintendent

Park Supervisor

Admin Assistant V

Carlson Center Manager

Caretakers(3)

F&B Manager Concessions/Catering/Marketing

Seasonal Groundskeeper (2)

Facility Supervisor Facility/Event Support

Casual Caretaker (8)

Casual Youth Supervisor (2)

Recreation Specialist III Programs/Events

Casual Park Aid (8)

Casual Youth Crew (8)

Custodial (2 FTE)

Casual Train Engineer (2)

Caretaker 2) (.5) (1OFTE) Ice/Facility Maintenance

Rec Spec III (.25)

Casual Event Staff (10)

Existing Position

New Position

Cross Shared

The Carlson Center, under the general direction of the Parks and Recreation Director, will be managed by the Riverside Superintendent, formerly the Pioneer Park Manager. This Superintendent will oversee the operations of both facilities. The Carlson Center will have a General Manager and Food & Beverage Manager, along with support staff to facilitate the public’s use of the facility.

$

Expenses & Revenue

One of the goals of this plan is to operate the facility as lean

1 EXPENDITURES $1,022,400

as possible. This is due to existing Borough-wide financial constraints, as well as being responsible stewards of the taxpayer dollar. In the future, we anticipate the need to expand our operational budget to meet the increased demands of the public.

The costs involved in managing and maintaining a large and complex public facility cannot be done without a subsidy, but we tried to keep additional cost burden to the Borough to a minimum.

2 REVENUES $789,040

NOTE: These are direct numbers, and do not reflect utility charges that were previously part of the Carlson Center’s operational responsibility through the private contract. The $400,000 estimated utility charges are now part of the Public Works budget. Additionally, two (2) .5FTE Caretakers will be upgraded to 1.0FTE. These upgraded positions will be responsible for ice maintenance at the Carlson Center during the winter but are reflected in the Park Maintenance Division budget.

3 SUBSIDY $233,360

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Programs & Activities • UAF Hockey • Community Hockey • Indoor Soccer • Trade Shows/Special Events • Family PlayZone • Classes & Programs • Meeting/Activity Rooms • Birthday Parties • Summer Events • Rental Availability

“

Providing affordable activities and facilities to all, continuing to focus on providing familyoriented activities, and ensuring parks and recreation opportunities are accessible to all residents are the top three most important values for the Fairbanks North Star Borough to focus on in its mission for the future.

“

Food & Beverage: Catering & Kitchen Catering in the facility will be provided through a “preferred vendor” list that will contain FNSB approved caterers & other food service providers. This list of approved caterers will be available to user groups renting the facility who require catering services.

These “vetted” caterers will have provided the Borough with licenses, insurance, menus, and other bona fides. Caterers will have use of the kitchen and its equipment, including all flatware, linens, etc. Catering costs will be negotiated between the user group and the caterer; and managed by the Food & Beverage Manager.

Food & Beverage: Concessions The Borough will be seeking, through public procurement process (concession RFP), a local business or businesses to operate concessions in the facility.

We anticipate not finding a business that will be willing to commit to concession operations for more than major events and activities (hockey games, trade shows, etc.), due to the uncertainty in the first year of operation. This will leave a void in food options during the bulk of the time the building is open.

We plan to operate a “snack bar” that will be operated by Borough Staff to fill this void. To save on staffing costs, it will be co-located where our main check-in area is already staffed. Options will include prepackaged snacks to begin, with room to expand options in the future if demand warrants it.

In addition to the concession RFP, we plan to issue a separate RFP for a coffee/smoothie/juice bar operation in the Prow. The Prow will be transformed into the Family PlayZone. The goal is to locate a business through the RFP process, to be open during the same hours as the PlayZone.

Annual Report | Company Name Carlson Center 2.0 | Section IV

Section IV: SWOT Analysis:

In this section, we will identify Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats specific to the facility or the first-year transitional plan.

Strengths and Weaknesses speak to the present plan:

Strengths

Weaknesses

• Central location

• Uncertainty of COVID restrictions

• Proximity to Pioneer Park for cross-

and measures

programming/promotion

• Uncertainty of UAF Hockey future at

• Largest event venue within 300 miles

Carlson Center

• Existing facility – not a future build

• Possible failure of ice plant mid-

• Meets most of the community desires

season, with no backup

outlined in the public study

• Risk of trying to be “too much to too

• Serves as an economic/business driver

many”

for the community through partnerships,

• All revenue figures are estimates;

sponsorships, and advertising

pertinent historical information from

• Provides ongoing indoor recreational

historical usage was utilized when

opportunities during long winter months

applicable

• Preserves traditional activities while

• Increases subsidy burden to

offering new programs and opportunities

taxpayers

Opportunities and Threats are future focused:

Opportunities

Threats

• Increasing private/public partnerships

• Future COVID restrictions

• Expanded programs – growth by demand

• Future budget constraints

Facility demand used for future

• Facility infrastructure failure

infrastructure/capital planning

• Ability to retain high-quality

• Small business development

employees

opportunities

• Outside organizations dissolving,

• Developmental disability job training

leaving a programmatic void

• Alternative Revenue Sources (naming rights, top-tier sponsorships, etc.)

Section III: Programs & Schedules: Community Activities Programmed Events & Activities • UAF Nanooks Hockey • Expos & Tradeshows • Graduations • Community Concerts, & Performances • Non-Profit Fundraisers • Soccer, Pickleball & Basketball • New Family Programming • Indoor Play Spaces for Families with Children • Birthday Parties

Open Hours: Noon-9pm

• Weddings & Holiday Parties • Senior and Special Needs Programming

Noon-9pm

• Community Luncheons Noon-9pm Noon-9pm Noon-9pm 9am-6pm 9am-6pm

Annual Report | Company Carlson Center 2.0 | Section IIIName

Scheduling: Yearly & Seasonal 2021 Annual Schedule The community has requested a facility that includes the historical services offered by the Carlson Center but is also enhanced with new services that increase the daily use. Balancing the community events, programming, and activities will enhance the many opportunities the community will have to recreate at the Carlson Activity Center.

2021

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

June

July

UAF Hockey Community Hockey Soccer Basketball Pickle Ball Family Programs Indoor Playground Showers RV Parking Special Events

(Expos, Concerts, Etc.)

NorthStar/ Buswell Rooms

* These are exmples and subject to change.

DROP IN

Aug

Sept

Oct

Nov

Dec

Winter Schedule WINTER

UAF Hockey

WEEKLY

Community Hockey Soccer Basketball Pickle Ball Family Programs Indoor Playground Special Events

(Expos, Concerts, Etc.)

NorthStar/ Buswell Rooms

DAILY

WINTER

The Prow

Arena

UAF Hockey

All Day

Community Hockey

All Day

Soccer

All Day

Northstar /Buswell

Northern Lights

Media Room

All Day

All Day

The Prow Upper Deck

UAF Locker Room

All Day

Basketball Noon- 8 pm

Pickle Ball Family Programs

Noon- 8 pm

Indoor Playground

Noon- 2 pm

Noon- 8 pm

Noon- 8 pm

Birthday Parties Special Events

(Expos, Concerts, Etc.)

Noon- 8 pm

All Day

All Day

NorthStar/ Buswell Rooms

* These are exmples and subject to change.

All Day

All Day

All Day

All Day

Noon 8 pm

Annual Report | Company Carlson Center 2.0 | Section IIIName

Playzone Year-Round • #2 co-requested feature/amenity in the survey was an “Indoor Playground” • Permanently located in the Prow • Year-round, indoor play space, • primarily for ages 0-12 • Regular hours for drop-in play • Scheduled classes & activities each week

“After Hours” • #2 co-requested feature/amenity in the survey was: “Youth After-School Activities.”

• We plan to co-program teen activities when school is in session.

• Tentative hours (during school year): M-F 3:00 – 7p.m.

• Co-Located in the Prow • Designed for youth & teens 12-16+ • Regular hours for drop-in relaxing • Scheduled classes & activities each week, possibly including teen-led activities, e-sports, open mic, table games, homework help, and more!

Birthday Parties & Special Events BIRTHDAY PARTIES Package 1

Package 2

Package 3

Space e Rental ffor 2 hours

Rental, Decorations

Rental, ental, Decoration Decorations, and Activities

REGULAR

$50

REGULAR

$150

REGULAR

$250

SPECIAL EVENTS Concerts, expos, events, etc.

Includes use of event equipment like tables, chairs, pipe, and drape

REGULAR

$3500

PER DAY

NON-PROFIT

$2500

Annual Report | Company Carlson Center 2.0 | Section IIIName

Summer Schedule SUMMER

UAF Hockey

WEEKLY

Community Hockey Soccer Basketball Pickle Ball Family Programs Indoor Playground Special Events

(Expos, Concerts, Etc.)

NorthStar/ Buswell Rooms

SUMMER

The Prow

Arena

Northstar /Buswell

Northern Lights

Media Room

The Prow Upper Deck

UAF Hockey

DAILY

Community Hockey Soccer

All Day

Basketball

All Day

Pickle Ball

Noon- 8 pm

Family Programs

Noon- 8 pm

Indoor Playground

Noon- 2 pm

Noon- 8 pm

Noon- 8 pm

Birthday Parties Special Events

(Expos, Concerts, Etc.)

Noon- 8 pm

All Day

All Day

NorthStar/ Buswell Rooms

* These are exmples and subject to change.

All Day

All Day

All Day

All Day

UAF Locker Room

Section IV: Fees & Charges The Carlson Center is a Fairbanks North Star Borough facility that was built for community use.

GOALS OF CALRSON CENTER 2.0 ARE TO:

• Affordable pricing to encourage daily use

• Consistent fees that are comparable to other FNSB Parks and Recreation Facilities

All Carlson Center fees and charges can be found in FNSB Budget Appendix E. Below you will see a few examples of facility and activity fees.

Riverside - Carlson Community Activity Center Drop in Rates

Ice Time

Single

Youth (3-17 years)

$4.00

Adult (18-59 years)

$6.00

Household Rate

$18.00

Senior (60 & up)

$4.00

Disabled

$3.00

Non-Prime Hours (5:00am - 3:00pm, Mon-Fri)

c Prime Hours (3:00pm12:00am, Mon-Fri) (All day Sat-Sun)

Northstar and Buswell Rooms Facility Rental

Regular

Non-Profit

Youth NonProfit

Full Day (8:00am - 12:00am)

$1000.00

$500.00

$250.00

Half Day (up to 8 hours)

$700.00

$350.00

$175.00

Hourly (m inimum for setup/teardown is 4 hrs

$100.00/hr

$50.00/hr

$25.00/hr

Regular

Soccer, basketball, football, pickleball, etc.

$3500

Non-profit $2500

Age

Rate/Hour

Youth

$110.00

Adult

$150.00

Commercial

$220.00

Youth

$160.00

Adult

$210.00

Commercial

$260.00

Paid Gate Adult

$275.00

Court Fees Court Fees

Special Events Concerts, expos, events, etc. (daily rate) Includes use of event equipment like tables, hairs, pipe, and drape

Arena Fees

Age

Rate/Hour

Youth

$110.00

Adult

$150.00

Commercial

$220.00

Annual Report | Company Name Carlson Center 2.0 | Plan Goals

Plan Goals: This visionary plan for the Carlson Center will blend the familiar and the new, providing yearround sports, recreation, and meeting space for many years to come. The plan contained within these pages has, to the best of our abilities, accomplished our stated goals:

1.

Transition from privately-managed to publicly-managed operations

2.

Develop a schedule that is community-based, allowing for the maximum usage of the building.

3.

Operate the facility with a reasonable fee structure for all users.

4.

Create a sustainable plan that allows for growth based on success.

5.

Recruit and develop external partnerships in such a way that will allow our business partners to succeed and grow

6.

Create a plan that is fiscally responsible

(907) 459.1269 donnie.hayes@fnsb.gov 2010 2nd Avenue Fairbanks, AK 99709