Meeting started at 8:35 AM. Present were Kris Foss (Chair), Chip Meany (Select Board), Bruce Gezelman, Karen Hambleton, and Scott McCaskill. Also present by invitation was Andrew Pinard.
The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted.
Kris reviewed the origin and purpose of the committee.
Karen stated that we need more accurate numbers for room rentals at the BACC. There should be options, e.g. to rent a room, to rent an entire floor, to have use of the kitchen; also, options for shared versus exclusive use. Kris explained that she had worked out figures for most options, but had not had the time to assemble them for presentation. Something to cover at the next meeting.
Bruce noted that the presentation of the rentable rooms at the BACC and at the Town Hall, would probably generate additional use, once people became aware that the spaces were rentable.
Kris reviewed the current operating costs of the BACC versus the current rents. Andrew recounted how the school facilities committee used to handle different kinds of rents and renters, and for-profit versus non-profit renters.
Andrew also spoke about community support of arts and entertainment facilities, which can act as a draw that brings people into town where they might also patronize local businesses. He noted Concord’s reaction when the Hatbox Theatre closed; the city began to wonder whether they could have supported the theatre better.
Andrew also reviewed the amenities that were included in the restoration of the Town Hall theater, including the extensive wiring and other infrastructure already installed to handle the anticipated audio, video, lighting, and sound needs. He noted that there are already a few outside groups who would like to start using the space as soon as we are able to provide it. He also covered the equipment that is already available, much of it donated.
Discussion continued regarding the upcoming needs of the theater space, the groups that might want to use it, the kind of seating that will be needed, curtains for the windows, and so on.
As the Town Offices will be moving in mid-May, the next meeting was scheduled for May 23 at 8:30 AM.
The meeting adjourned about 10:00 AM.