Gookin Backs Bigger Events Center

You can find Thursday’s discussion of a proposed events center at Riverstone, between the City Council and NIC trustees, in City Clerk Renata McLeod’s draft minutes. Here’s a sample:

Councilman Gookin stated that he likes the idea of an event center.  He has seen the proposal for the center and is concerned that it is too small.   He believes that there should be a countywide recreational district created, so that the College could focus on education.   President Dunlap stated that NIC does have an educational relationship to it, specifically their recreational teams would use such a facility, and another huge need is the graduation ceremony.   Trustee Banducci stated that NIC would need scheduling priority and that it was a major issue for the College.   Councilman Gookin stated that he believes it should be a civic project and that it would not make money, so a way to find out if the community is willing to support the project would be through a bond.  Additionally, he is uncomfortable with the LCDC funding option. Complete draft minutes (2nd item) here.

Question: If Gookin and Trustee Ron Nilson support an events center, I believe, it has a chance. What do you think?