"Speak Out" is an expression of opinion from the Editorial Board of WBTV, and is presented by General Manager, Nick Simonette.
Wouldn't it be great to have some of YOUR debt erased?
Last month, the U. S. National Whitewater Center announced its lender agreed to forgive a huge chunk of its construction debt.
Instead of 38-million, the center will only be asked to repay 12-point-4-million.
Nice deal, huh?
But even with this sudden drop, the Center still needs to make more profit than it did last year just to meet its obligations.
This matters to us -- and should to you -- because we, the taxpayers, are responsible for the Whitewater Center.
Under the original agreement, local governments in Mecklenburg and Gaston Counties pledged to cover shortfalls.
So as the center drowns in red ink, we're the ones bailing it out.
Now let's face it -- We're in it now. The park isn't going anywhere.
We've got to make it work.
We've got to find a way to make IT make money.
What about running it like a "for-profit" business? What about managing it as such?
Use it as a business conference center.
A good one.
What about making it a concert venue? Can we build camping facilities, even add a water park?
What about recruiting a hotel to locate nearby?
If it's going to make a profit it has to be more than a one-time destination for people.
What can you do? Well for now -- think about it.
Be creative. Come up with some ideas.
Remember -- we own it now.
Let your county commissioners know how you feel.
And in the meantime…can we at least get some clear signage on the roads telling folks how to get there?
Tell us what YOU think. SpeakOut@wbtv.com.
