WBTV 3 News, Weather, Sports, and Traffic for Charlotte, NC-Tough Questions About Whitewater Center

Tough Questions About Whitewater Center

By Tom Roussey - bio | email

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - There were tough questions on Tuesday night about the U.S. National Whitewater Center.

Some commissioners questioned how the deeply in debt center will turn things around, and one Democrat expressed dismay about an agreement several years ago in which the county agreed to pay $1 millioin dollars a year to the center if it needed it.

"I wish I could give senior citizens a million dollars a year," said Democratic commissioner Vilma Leake.

The Whitewater Center is now in its third year of operation, and it is struggling financially.  The Center had a $7.4 million dollar budget shortfall is fiscal year 2008.  It also has a $38 million dollar loan that it hasn't even paid all the interest on, let alone the principal.

Still Jeff Wise, who is in charge of the Whitewater Center, says the Center took in more money in 2008 than 2007.

"As a young business...we've seen some growth now through this second year," Wise told county commissioners.  "So we want to continue that growth."

But in addition to bringing in more money, the center also spent more money in 2008.  Republican county commissioner Bill James says something's got to give for the center to turn things around.

"I do not believe the Whitewater Center is financially viable 38 million in debt," James said.

Wise said the Whitewater is trying new things to lure customers in, such as a daily 49 dollar all-access pass that lets people do everything the Center has to offer.

But James was skeptical.

"I understand that Disney World marketing, but that isn't going to work," James told Wise.

James says as it stands now the Center will never be able to pay off its $38 million dollar loan.  He says the terms of the loan have to change, something Wise agreed with.

Wise says the Center is in talks with the banks that loaned it the money about restructuring the loan so it can be paid back.

Despite all the financial issues, several commissioners stuck up for the center Tuesday night.

"I think the big picture is, we have a great asset," said Democratic commission chairman Jennifer Roberts.