Published: August 19, 2008 05:39 pm      

City to help with festivities, proposed convention center

Ada — The city of Ada will be helping out with Autumn Days in Ada and PEC Day, along with the proposed East Central University Convention Center. A 5 percent hotel tax was also discussed at the Monday evening council meeting.

ECU President Dr. Richard Rafes was on hand to discuss plans for the proposed convention center. He told council the location had changed. Previously, the center was to be located immediately to the south of ECU’s Wellness Center. Now, the center is purposed to be built west of the new Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center. The request before city council was to reserve $500,000 for assistance with the construction. Council approved reserving the money with contingencies. The city will apply for a hazard mitigation grant in an amount not less than $1.5 million.

Under these circumstances, the convention center will have a storm shelter and would also serve as a shelter in the event of a disaster’s aftermath. Mayor Barbara Young said she wanted to clarify to the public that $500,000 of Proposition Two money has not been spent and would not be spent until the contingencies were met. She said the money was simply set aside. If the requirements are not met, the money would no longer be reserved.

Council agreed to help with Autumn Days in Ada, which is scheduled for Nov. 1, and PEC Day which will be Sept. 27.

A 5 percent hotel tax on hotel rooms was discussed and council approved the resolution. The tax already in existence would change from county hands to city hands and would not cause hotel room rates to increase. The money would go to improving city facilities, such as swimming pools and ballparks. The tax issue will go before voters Nov. 4 to decide if the funds will change from county avenues to city venue.

Council also took the next step on Scissortail Lake feasibility study. Councilmembers approved a firm to find out how to pay for the lake. Councilman Dick Scalf said the city has not committed or will pay more money, but is simply taking the next step.