June 21, 2021 at 11:32 a.m.
School committee reviews early Hodag Dome financials
Over $25K in revenue generated since February
School committee reviews early Hodag Dome financials
The panel was advised as to the total revenue the Hodag Dome has generated since it opened to the public on Feb. 1 as well as the utility costs thus far.
At a previous meeting, members of the committee asked for revenue and expense numbers for the Dome and the district's business manager, Bob Thom, was happy to oblige.
According to Thom, $25,458.50 in revenue has been generated from memberships and rentals of the facility and 8,613 community member visits have been recorded.
Thom was asked if he is seeing any patterns in the revenue generated, considering the first month or so was due to people buying memberships.
"Has that tapered off now, in terms of memberships?" asked board member Dave Holperin.
"Yeah, they were buying the annual pass, and we'll have a big annual renewal next year," Thom said.
Holperin asked if there has been an upward trend in bookings?
"Actually, the concern has been do we book every single weekend or do we leave some open in case other people are interested in using it," Thom replied. "If some universities want to book a year in advance, but what of your local group that only thinks three months out?"
District superintendent Eric Burke credited dome manager Janet Jamison with making the dome schedule work, even as area high schools were seeking to move softball and soccer games into the dome as the postseason began and getting the games in became critical.
"Looking to next year, we're looking at two weekends a month for outside groups and allow for our community groups to use it," Burke said.
RHS activities director Brian Paulson said the dome saved a few area teams from prolonged rainy weather in the second week of June.
"There was 7-on-7 football from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and they called from Three Lakes, they were playing Spooner in a playoff game, and they ended up renting our dome at 8 p.m. and we got them all set up," Paulson said. "Lakeland Union was begging me to take them instead of Three Lakes, and I told them Three Lakes had already called. Then the next night, Lakeland didn't want to chance another night of a rainout and pop-up storm, so they booked it Friday night because they had to have that game in before Saturday."
Committee chair Mike Roberts said it is good that the entire Northwoods community has come to see the dome as a resource.
"When we took the tours (of domes) and they told us if we built this, it would be busy every weekend and every evening. And our initial comment was 'we are not a suburb of the Twin Cities,'" Roberts said. "And to see the amount of activity and the people who are driving from an hour away or 45 minutes away to use it, really is shocking to me, even though I took that tour. We knew the benefit it would have locally in Rhinelander itself, but to see how it is drawing from the surrounding area is amazing."
Roberts said the fee structure set up for the dome is fair, and people are willing to pay that rate.
"So I would like to commend all of you for what you're doing," Roberts said.
The information provided by Thom also included the utility costs the dome has generated since it opened, with the district spending $98,250.16 on natural gas and $45,255.63 for electricity.
One thing not included was labor costs.
Burke said now that restrictions related to COVID-19 have been lifted, the number of memberships should cover the staffing costs for the dome.
Board president Ron Counter agreed, noting that restrictions earlier in the year cost the dome several bookings in the way of garden and home shows.
"The numbers may have been much different (had it not been for the pandemic)," Counter said.
The 128,000 square foot air-supported dome is the largest such facility in the country that is owned by a school district.
It includes a full regulation artificial turf football field that has additional markings for a full-size soccer field, two softball diamonds, four tennis courts which can also be configured for pickleball, or volleyball or basketball, 100-meter rubberized running lanes for dash/hurdles as well as long/triple jump, pole vault and high jump areas.
Outside are two softball fields, a practice field and a new junior varsity baseball field.
Construction began in April 2020 after the Hodag Schools Foundation received a $500,000 donation from Dr. Lee Swank, a local physician who wanted to help local youth whose spring sports seasons are frequently interrupted by the weather. Swank's donation touched off a wave of philanthropy as local business, individuals and Rhinelander High School alums supported the project.
The dome was inflated in October 2020 and the complex was opened to the public on Feb. 1, 2021, with Swank snipping a ceremonial ribbon.
In just over four months, the complex has seen steady use and has received rave reviews from local and visiting athletes and coaches.
In addition to sporting events, the facility can also be used to hold shows and other events.
Jamie Taylor may be reached via email at [email protected].
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