Coliseum update

Here's a belated summary of the November 1, 2007 War Memorial Commission (coliseum) meeting.

* The 2006-07 financial report is complete with the Coliseum meeting its budget projections for three years in a row. This year's expenses included costs for a number of unexpected repairs, but they were still able to stay within the budget.

* During the two weeks of October 13-27, over 80,000 people attended events at the Coliseum -- NBA basketball (8,000 hot dogs sold), Dancing with the Stars, motivational conventions, Monaco Motorcoach events ((9,000 meals catered = $160,000 in sales), A&T Homecoming events where attendance at the Saturday night hip-hop concert was up 30% -- 16,000 tickets sold -- and with NO incidents.

* Gross catering and concession sales in October hit $400,000 for the first time. At the current rate, the Coliseum should hit the next step in the commissions scale in late January -- the best to date.

* Centerplate has purchased a total of 65 wireless credit card machines which allows credit and debit card purchases at every point of sale in the building.

* Greensboro has become known as a very successful hip-hop venue sales on the same level as Chicago -- a very successful money-making venture for the Coliseum's bottom line.

* Chris Daughtry's December 21 concert (now a second one added) will be held in the Auditorium despite staff's diligent efforts to get him to perform in the Arena due to his current preference for smaller venues.

* Due to the tremendous success of the Van Halen concert, staff is currently holding possible dates for four other rock-and-roll concerts -- success breeds more success.

* 60 different events are being marketed currently, including Finding Nemo (Disney on Ice), the Little Four Basketball Tournament, the Southern Scuffle (college wrestling), Daughtry, a tennis event featuring local athlete John Isner, and many others.

* 160 refrigerators have been purchased (not at Coliseum expense) and placed throughout the buildings to provide appropriately chilled bottled drinks.

* The handicapped accessible ramps have been built to replace the steps for access to the Auditorium.

* Ticketmaster incentive money will be used to make parking improvements behind the Auditorium.