Many questions about the history and future of the Walker Area Community Center were raised by those who attended two recent public meetings. The responses are summarized below.
Q: What is the current capital position of the WACC?
A:The current capital position shows a total investment of $4.26 million: $2,002,000 community campaign and grants; $270,000 federal loan, $1.58 million mortgage; $335,000 government appropriations; and $73,000 notes owed.
Q: Is there interest on the other loan (USDA Loan)?
A: Interest on the other USDA loan is 1 percent of the remaining balance, paid each year.
Q: Why is there debt on the land? The Community believes that all the land was donated.
A: Six acres initially was donated for WACC, but two more acres had to be bought because more acreage was needed for water retention, parking and sewer.
Q: How many employees does the Center have?
A: WACC has one full-time and two part-time employees.
Q: How much have all governments given in the last year?
A: Through May 30, local government entities have contributed $6,500 to WACC. At some point, WACC may ask for contribution from other nearby towns or townships.
Q: Any thought on a local tax?
A: A local sales tax option has been explored as a way to raise additional revenue. However for a time, there was a legislative moratorium on this, which was only lifted Jan. 1, 2009. Now that possibility will be investigated again.
Q: I hope the plan is to talk to the original donors?
A: We will be looking at this as well as new donations.
Q: Should areas of the building such as the gym be in debt if people have their names on it?
A: As part of the past campaign naming rights were sold, the funds for that money were not intended to cover the cost of construction of each space.
Q: When you are looking at sales tax are you looking at county, city or what?
A: We are not sure, this is something we will be researching.
S: Downtown business will not like a local tax.
A: The sales tax option will be discussed with local businesses before anything is done. Initially businesses supported WACC because the events it would host would bring more people to town, strengthening the economy. This was 2 – 3 years ago and needs to be revisited.
Q: Any thoughts about the fitness center being open 24 hours?
A: With the layout of the building we can’t have the building left unattended and it is not feasible at this time to have it staffed around the clock.
Q: How much money do you need to reduce your debt to be able to service the debt out of operations revenue?
A: We don’t have an exact number yet, that is part of what we are working on – part of the new business plan.
Q: How come we only have 4 hockey tournaments? Why not host tournaments after the official season, this is big in the cities.
A: Some have suggested hosting hockey tournaments beyond the official season, as is done in the Twin Cities. Leech Lake Hockey and the WACC will host six hockey tournaments this year, including a state regional and district tournament. However tournaments require many volunteers, and maintaining ice beyond the winter season is extremely expensive. WACC would need better dehumidification equipment.
Q: What is the goal of the capital campaign? People respond better to goals – the want to know you want so much by a certain date. I feel if you are going to do this you will need to do it promptly.
A: Exact figures are not yet available for how much to be raised to reduce WACC’s debt. This is part of a new business plan being prepared that will include specific monetary goals and dates.
Q: How will the board use the money raised through a capital campaign?
A: Money raised through a new capital campaign will be used to reduce the principal on the First National Bank loan and pay it down to the point where payments can be covered by revenue from operations.
Q: Has the board itself come up with any plans to expand revenue?
A: We have an Events Committee, we look at each suggestion. Any volunteers interested in joining the Events Committee will be most appreciated!
Q: When talking to cities, are you talking to just Walker, or all of them? What are you asking for?
A: The WACC may request some level of contribution from all area cities.
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