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COMMUNITY OF MASON CITY, IOWA
City of Mason City
In a year-long study completed in mid-2003, Compass helped city officials assess the need for a public
assembly facility and to further define what kind of facility would meet the needs of the community.
Working with a task force of local residents, Compass reviewed the market area, surveyed comparable
facilities, interviewed community leaders and stakeholders, and conducted tours to existing facilities.
To conclude the project, Compass worked with Convention Center Design Group of Minneapolis, Minnesota to
create a design and site plan for a projected facility. In addition to the design, construction cost
estimates, a staffing plan and pro forma operating budget were prepared. The study findings were presented
at a meeting of the City Council.
ANALYSIS OF FUTURE OPERATION
CIVIC AUDITORIUM, OMAHA, NEBRASKA
City of Omaha
In Omaha, Compass was engaged to provide an analysis of the future of the Omaha Civic Auditorium as the
city prepared to open the new MECA Arena and Convention Center facility in the fall of 2003. Compass
analyzed the Omaha market area, reviewed competitive facilities, conducted extensive interviews with
community leaders and facility users, and reviewed the current and past operation of the Civic Auditorium.
The final report presented budget scenarios for different forms of future management and made recommendations
for the ongoing use of the Civic Auditorium.
THE FAMILY ARENA
St. Charles, Missouri
Compass was engaged throughout 2002 by The Family Arena, a sports and entertainment arena located in the
St. Louis metropolitan area. Compass provided consulting assistance in programming and marketing, including
providing liaison with national entertainment industry agents, promoters and family show producers; working
with local staff to identify acts that local audiences want to see and work to schedule performance dates;
negotiating with promoters for favorable terms for engagements; assist in contracting procedures for events;
and representing the facility to national trade organizations and lead local staff in business calls on entertainment
industry representatives.
COMMUNITY OF COLUMBUS, NEBRASKA
Columbus Civic Center Feasibility Committee
The City of Columbus was approached by a group wanting to bring a minor league hockey team to the
community. The Feasibility Committee asked Compass to determine the potential uses for a facility
beyond hockey, its preferred location, construction and operating costs, and a funding scenario.
Design criteria were written for a potential facility, and a preliminary design was created by the
Leo A Daly firm. Finally, a statement of economic impact of the facility was prepared, including visitor
spending and sales tax impact.
In June of 2002 a final report was prepared and a presentation made by Compass and the Leo A Daly firm
to stakeholders in the project and to local citizens.
NORTHSHORE HARBOR CENTER
SLIDELL, LOUISIANA
East St. Tammany Events Center Commission
The Northshore Harbor Center is a multi-purpose event facility to be located on the north shore of Lake
Pontchartrain in Slidell, Louisiana. When completed, the building will contain a 19,000 square foot
exhibition space along with 6,700 square feet of meeting and conference room space. Compass was engaged
by the East St. Tammany Events Center Commission to perform a variety of pre-opening tasks, including
design development and design review against operational parameters, review of comparable facilities,
FF & E and bid analysis; preparation of a mission statement, policies, job descriptions, emergency plan,
maintenance, marketing, and food & beverage; support and consultation for efforts to generate outside
funding from such areas as pour rights, naming rights, along with corporate partnership, sponsorship, and
advertising packages.
PENNINGTON COUNTY
RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA
Exposition Park Committee
Compass was retained in the Summer of 2001 to prepare a market feasibility study, operating pro forma, and
community expenditure impact analysis for an indoor equine facility planned for the Central States Fairgrounds
in Rapid City. Compass reviewed comparable facilities in the region and established appropriate design
criteria for an expense projection and produced a revenue grid and a three-year projected operating budget for
the facility. The final task was to project the economic impact of the facility, including visitor spending
and sales tax impact.
A final report was prepared and a public presentation made for members of the Rapid City City Council and the
Pennington County Board of Supervisors.
HISTORIC FORT SNELLING
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Compass worked as a sub-contractor to John E. Mannillo and Associates to prepare an operating pro forma for the
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The DNR is planning the creation of a reception / conference center to
be located in the renovated bachelor officer quarters on the grounds of Historic Fort Snelling.
Compass reviewed the revenue producing capability of the project by establishing design function parameters for the
facility and creating a projected event matrix. The study went on to develop revenues and expenses for three years
of operation of the project. Rent, catering, bar / concessions, equipment rental, and advertising revenues were
calculated, along with the expenses needed to deliver conference services for the facility. A final report was prepared.
VALUE CITY ARENA
JEROME SCHOTTENSTEIN CENTER
The Ohio State University
Compass was retained by the Jerome Schottenstein Center to perform a consulting study. The purpose of the study was to
review the operation of the building and suggest steps to increase its efficiency, productivity, and revenue potential.
Compass partnered on the project with Global Spectrum of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The two firms provided an audit of
the Center's programming and revenue streams, its marketing plan, and approach to operations. The programming study included
surveys of the building patrons and users, review of the fee structures, and a comparison the facility's practices with
comparable buildings. The operations audit looked at all service units of the facility - front-of-house, event administration,
food and beverage, custodial, technical services, and risk management. The marketing analysis reviewed the existing marketing
plan and analyzed existing marketing materials and strategies.
IOWA CITY COMMUNITY THEATRE
IOWA CITY, IOWA
Englert Theatre Coalition
Compass was retained by a community group in Iowa City that is making plans to purchase and convert an early 1900's movie
theater into a community performing arts center. A Business Plan and a Community Master Fundraising Plan was prepared
for the Coalition. In addition, Compass reviewed renovation estimates provided by the Coalition and analyzed the long
term capital needs for the facility.
Interviews were conducted with potential users of the theatre, community arts leaders, and comparable facilities. Usage
levels, rate sheets and a pro forma budget were produced. Prototype contracts, rate sheets, and spreadsheets were created
for use in further analysis. Fundraising Plan consisted of writing case statements, establishing an executive committee,
and formulating a master plan for the execution of the campaign.
CITY OF SIOUX CITY, IOWA
Sioux City Convention & Visitors Bureau, Auditorium, Tourism Bureau
A Market Study, Site Analysis and Recommendation, Architectural Program, Construction Cost Estimate, and an Assessment
of Funding and Design Alternatives were prepared for a new Sioux City Event Center/Arena. This work was done in
partnership with Ellerbe Becket of Kansas City, Missouri and FEH Associates of Sioux City, Iowa.
Compass conducted public meetings and focus groups to gauge community interest in building a new arena or remodeling
the old Sioux City Auditorium. Public questionnaires were distributed and tabulated. Current auditorium users were
interviewed for their building needs. Site visits were conducted and evaluations of each site prepared. Design concepts
were prepared for a variety of options, and financing options were outlined. A final report was prepared and presented.
AMERICAN AIRLINES ARENA, MIAMI, FLORIDA
The Miami Heat
Compass Facility Management, Inc. conducted a study to determine the feasibility of two projects for the Miami Heat /
American Airlines Arena prior to its opening in January 2000. Compass researched the installation of stage rigging
for the presentation of theatrical events and smaller concerts and also evaluated the creation of a curtaining system
to reduce the size of the arena to accommodate WNBA basketball.
ERVIN J. NUTTER CENTER, DAYTON, OHIO
Wright State University
In 1999 Compass joined with the university administration and Nutter Center officials in a twelve-month
project to facilitate a review of the building's mission statement, prepare a market analysis, and
conduct a programming audit. As part of the project Compass officials completed an on-site operations
audit and a physical facility review. The ultimate goal of the study was to help the facility enhance
its revenues and streamline operations.
In a project completed in the summer of 1998, Compass worked with University officials on a $1.7 million
project that included installation of new scoreboards, marquees, video screens and arena sound system.
Along with Krogman & Associates, Compass secured sponsorships to totally underwrite the project.
Compass/Krogman supervised development of specifications, bidding, sponsor recruitment and installation.
COMMUNITY OF HURON, SOUTH DAKOTA
Spitznagel, Inc.
In 1999 Compass worked with Spitznagel, Inc., an architectural firm, to develop an expansion plan for
the City of Huron, South Dakota's convention center. The Compass study included meeting with the community,
developing a list of needs, assessing the surrounding area for comparisons, and generating a pro forma.
HULMAN CENTER AND TILSON AUDITORIUM
TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA
Indiana State University
Compass engaged in a review of the Hulman Center and Tilson Auditorium mission statement especially as
it applies to the University and the external market. The study included a market analysis, an operations
audit, and a physical plant review. The final report recommended changes in the facility's mission that
would enhance its status in the community and allow it to better serve its constituency.
COMMUNITY CENTER, HUTCHINSON, MINNESOTA
City of Hutchinson
Compass performed a market analysis and needs assessment for the community of Hutchinson, Minnesota,
related to the potential construction of three facilities: conference center, a senior citizens activity
hall and a recreational ice rink. That analysis was then used to create architectural programs, develop
construction costs and operating pro formas and define site considerations.
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
University of North Dakota Foundation
Compass worked with university officials to develop a business pro forma for a new ice arena for the
University of North Dakota while in the design stage. The study included a review of facility user
requirements and the architectural program. A rate schedule was created, along with an estimate of
expected revenues and operating expense. Income potential from suites, concessions, restaurants,
merchandising, parking, and advertising sales were studied, and similar facilities surveyed to test
the budget projections.
MULTI-PURPOSE ARENA / EXPO HALL
DODGE CITY, KANSAS
Dodge City / Ford County Development Corporation
On June 10, 1997, voters approved an increase in sales tax. Dodge City and Ford County will build an
8,000 seat / 30,000 square foot arena / expo center. Compass Facility Management worked with the
Development Corporation to analyze the market, develop the architectural program and create the operating
pro forma for the proposed facility - all of which was put before the voters in a successful referendum.
COMMUNITY OF BEMIDJI, MINNESOTA
Headwaters Regional Development Commission
Compass worked with Triebwasser, Helenske and Associates of Fargo, North Dakota, and Sink, Combs,
Dethlefs of Denver, Colorado, to assess the programmatic needs of the community, analyze sites and
develop construction estimates for a new convention center / arena. Compass utilized citizen surveys
and focus groups involving community leaders and work sessions with user groups to accomplish this project.