It has been a long
and winding road, but after years of planning and construction, the $76
million Ocean Center expansion project is nearly complete, with some
final touches. The project doubles the size of the complex, making it
the sixth-largest facility of its kind in Florida.
But success has not
come easily. Just two years ago, as the construction was just beginning,
Volusia County Council members faced daunting challenges on the
ambitious expansion project. The real estate market was red-hot. Skilled
construction workers were hard to find, and the cost of building
materials was skyrocketing.
“At that time, these
and other factors converged to put the project in peril,” said Volusia
County Public Works Director George Recktenwald, who is serving as the
Ocean Center’s Director and is overseeing completion of the
expansion project. “Volusia County Chair Frank Bruno and Volusia County
Manager Jim Dinneen shifted strategy and the county took over management
of the construction project.”
It was a move
designed to save costs and increase efficiency.
“We hoped for the
best,” said Bruno. “Everyone stepped up to make it work, and it did.”
By internalizing the
management of the project to county government, the county purchased the
building materials directly, which saved $500,000 in sales tax. County
officials worked very closely with OCORP, the owners’ representative on
the project. The new arrangement resulted in nearly half of the
contractors on the project being local.
“All this and more
has increased the county’s ability to achieve savings on the project and
protect the contingency fund,” said Dinneen, who added he is
pleased with the project and believes the expanded Ocean Center will not
take a backseat to any other complex in Florida.
Dinneen is confident
the community will be pleased with the facility and will recognize it as
one of Volusia County’s most valuable assets “With the Ocean Center,
Daytona Beach International Airport, the magnificent beaches in east
Volusia County and the natural beauty of the St. Johns River and west
Volusia County, our stock is going up as a site for meetings and
conventions, tourism and economic development,” Dinneen added.
It is expected that
construction will wrap up by year-end. It’s a good thing since the first
major events already have been booked for the expanded facility. The
Varsity Spirit State Cheer & Dance Championships are scheduled for
January 9-12. This is one of the most prestigious state championships
bringing approximately 8,000 participants of all levels, their coaches,
and families to Volusia County. The Ocean Center will become the
organization’s new official venue in Florida allowing more teams to
participate as a result of the additional space.
Also on the calendar
for January is the annual convention of the Florida Fire Chiefs
Association. The event, which will feature 255 exhibitors, could draw
10,000 or more delegates to Volusia County. The conference is scheduled
for the Ocean Center in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
While the expanded
Ocean Center will begin operations in time for January bookings,
marketing events designed to present the complex to important
constituencies are scheduled for late February.
“We will first
present the all new Ocean Center to the community,” said Lori Hunter,
Ocean Center’s Director of Sales. “The residents of Volusia County have
been so supportive of the Ocean Center throughout its 23-year history we
want them to get the first look at their new facility.”
A concert in the
newly configured Ocean Center also is being planned for February, as is
a marketing event designed to capture the attention of meeting and
convention planners from throughout Florida and across the nation. They
are being invited to a VIP marketing event at which they will get an
inside look at the complex and be encouraged to book the Ocean Center
for their clients’ events.
“This marketing event
is a once-in-a-lifetime marketing opportunity to present the Ocean
Center to the professionals who book the nation’s meetings and
conventions,” said Dinneen. “It’s the best advertising we will ever do.”
Funding for events
showcasing the Ocean Center to residents and meeting and convention
professionals comes from sponsorships by companies and organizations
that welcome the new configuration and recognize its importance to the
community and the tourism industry.
The expanded Ocean
Center will have nearly doubled in size to more than 400,000 square
feet. This includes approximately 200,000 square feet of indoor meeting
and exhibit space, plus an additional 200,000 of outdoor space for
events such as boat shows, automotive events and similar events.
New features include
specially designed oversized doors, wireless communications, moveable
walls and room dividers, state-of-the-art loading docks, user friendly
lighting and sound systems and a full complement of ancillary services
such as box office, onsite catering, event advertising, a business
center for event planners and much more.
For more information
on the Ocean Center, please access the all-new website:
oceancenter.com.
