per yesterday's Merc:
"For 2012, the center is expected to make $295,000 in admissions revenue and $37,500 for facility usage fees revenue."
Suggested admissions fees: Adults $9 Seniors: $7 Children: $4 School groups: $3 Under 2: FREE
Suggested rental fees:
"elegant evening" full access (500 people) $2,700 Saturdays, $2,200 all other nights
small "elegant evening" (200 people) $2,300 Saturdays, $1,800 all other nights
"cocktail reception" 2 hour limit (350 people) $1,200 (200 people) $1,000
"discovery party" 2 hour limit, exhibits and party room (40 people) $150
so.....
I guess each week we'll have 220 paying families of 4 (or equivalent) strolling through the Discovery Center's door. Every week. Considering the population base, the slashed to non-existent field trip budgets for schools, I'd say it is a little optimistic. But maybe someone else has some more relevant experience?
$721/week is what they are expecting to do as far as the usage fees. If anyone wants to put the Discovery Center up against the Wareham (approximately $600 with $600 held for incidentals) or the KSU Alumni center for weddings it is not competitive.
I thought it would be embarrassing, but this seems as though it will be a perfect storm of suck. Someone throw me something positive about this fraud before I have to go down some beers by myself at my fancy Long Johns.
