1. FargoDome report - Laserfiche WebLink

RECEIVED FEB 2 4 February 24, 2003 CASS COUN/'Y COMMISSION FARGODOME Report to the Cass County Commission Dear Commissioners: As stipulated in the ordinance that created the Fargo Dome Authority (FDA), there is one representative on the seven-person FDA who represents Cass County outside of the City of Fargo. I was nominated and then appointed in April, 1998 to fill that position. Since that time, I have served as FDA Treasurer and Chairman of the Finance Committee, FDA Vice President and Chairman of the Building Committee, and currently serve as FDA President and Chairman of the Executive Committee. The mission of the FARGODOME is "to successfully operate a facility that provides a diversity of events, enhancing the quality of life and prosperity of the region". As we look back over our recently completed 10-year history, we feel the objectives of that mission statement continue to be met. We perceive our mission as ajoumey, not a destination. In recent years we have been challenged a few times by Mother Nature in the form of wind and water. Roof damage and floodwater damage were addressed in a timely fashion resulting in minimal disruption to operations. Today we have a dike and flood mitigation equipment in place to prevent any future flood damage. Today we have concrete canopies over all entrances to the FARGODOME to protect patrons from snow and ice avalanching from the roof. The sloping, standing seam portion of the roof has been totally replaced, and horizontal "snow bars", designed to keep snow slide to a minimum, were incorporated into the construction. Today we have in place a "total building generator" with enough capacity to run the entire building on its own. With this generator operational, the FARGODOME could serve as a refuge and emergency center in the event natural or other disasters may occur. The generator building was designed to hold double the capacity of power generation for future needs that may develop. In 2000 we completed a $6.8 million lobby expansion project that has been very well received by everyone. In addition to the expanded lobby and box office, the project included the addition of meeting rooms and food catering capabilities that significantly improved the flexibility and accommodations of the FARGODOME. In September of last year we completed a $5 million technology and concourse upgrade. This upgrade was appropriate for more than one reason. It kept our facility on the "cutting edge" in an increasingly competitive environment. It greatly enhanced the aesthetics of the interior of the building and increased the "user friendliness" to our patrons. The project was made complete with the addition of eight new luxury suites and a new exterior Galaxy marquee. In keeping with our "next level" marketing theme, our next enhancement will be the addition of a rigging grid capable of hosting Broadway-type musicals and plays in the FARGODOME.