Back around
the time we all were sweating out the
perceived perils of Y2K, plans to expand the Ocean Center
began to surface.
Some Ocean
Center events were outgrowing the complex,
making it a victim of its own success. Planners of those events
began to overlook the facility because it simply was not big
enough. So, discussions about expanding the Ocean Center
became more frequent. Soon, Volusia County Council members,
Ocean Center officials, leaders of the tourism industry, and
event planners came to realize the Ocean Center needed a new
profile to compete in the highly competitive world of meeting
and event planning.
“The Ocean
Center opened in 1985—24 years ago,” said
George Recktenwald, interim Ocean Center director, who leads
the team of county officials overseeing the expansion project.
“Back then, events were far less complicated and technology
played a limited role in staging events. Even the Internet, which
has become the heartbeat of commerce, was in its infancy.”
The need for more space was most apparent. The vital
statistics for the original structure included 60,000 square feet
of clear exhibit space and 34,000 square feet of conference center
facilities. Planning had begun seven years prior to the
opening of the $36 million complex.
Today, after
an ambitious expansion project resulting from
years of planning and a $76 million investment, the Ocean
Center has some new numbers about which to brag. Total
interior meeting space is 205,536 square feet, which includes a
94,695-square-foot exhibit hall, a 42,000-square-foot arena, and
an 11,715-square-foot ballroom. There are also 340,000 square
feet dedicated to parking and outdoor exhibit space.
Add it all up
and the Ocean Center is now the fifth largest
facility of its type in Florida, a popular destination among
meeting, convention and event planners.
“This opens up
new markets for us,” said Frank Bruno,
Volusia County Chair, who has been dedicated to the expansion
project and served on the County Council when the original
Ocean Center was created. “We always have had a strong
presence among planners for social, military, religious and
fraternal organizations,” he said. “But now, the complex is
attracting the attention of planners of larger education, business,
professional and medical conferences, which require more
space and more sophisticated facilities and support systems.”
The project
was conceived carefully and planned
meticulously before construction began in 2006. However, what
could not be anticipated were the wild swings in the
construction industry. The rapid spike in real estate values and
parallel demand for construction services and materials shoved
projected costs well past the initial budget. Materials were
scarce and prices soared. The construction workforce was
difficult and expensive to maintain. The Volusia County
Council, under the direction of its then-new County Manager
Jim Dinneen, had to create a new business model to save the
project.
It did so by
taking over the construction management and
purchasing, establishing a realistic and ironclad budget and
making design modifications that saved money, while not
compromising the appeal of the planned expansion and
renovation. The economy cooled and the project was back on
track. The strategy worked and today the project is complete.
The complex is functioning as envisioned, and making its debut
to the meeting and event planning market.
The community
gets the first look at the complex, with a
public grand opening celebration Feb. 22. Visitors will be able to
walk through the complex and get a feel for the cavernous open
spaces, the intimate small meeting rooms and everything in
between. They may be surprised to find an impressive $400,000
collection of carefully selected artwork from nine American
artists on display as part of the Ocean Center Art in Public
Places program. The public grand opening day will include food,
fun, tours and literature as Daytona Beach and county officials
will be on hand to welcome the community to the all-new
Ocean Center.
A week later,
an Evening Showcase will be held for select
Ocean Center clients, business prospects, regional and state
government officials and others critical to the success of the
newly configured complex. The event is being staged with
funding from a long list of sponsors and will feature a gourmet
meal, an insider’s look at the complex and entertainment by
comedian and entertainer Sinbad, who is making his first
appearance at the Ocean Center. Finally, an opening concert is
planned for later this spring.
As part of the
grand opening, the county is spearheading a
community food drive in recognition of the difficult economic
conditions. Grand opening attendees can bring goods to donate
if they desire.
To say
completion of the all-new Ocean Center is an
accomplishment is an understatement. Given the extraordinary
circumstances that have manifested themselves over the past
several years, locally, regionally and globally, to cut the ribbon
on
this complex at this time is a point of great pride.
