Art & History Museums of Maitland asks council to plan for lost event revenue during new library construction

Daniel Thomas, representing the Art & History Museums of Maitland, told the City of Maitland City Council that construction of the new library could reduce the museum’s event-rental revenue and asked the council to consider a contingency to offset possible losses.

Thomas said the museum’s rentals program accounts for about 20% of its annual revenue and laid out three main concerns: construction noise, reduced parking once an existing parking lot is removed, and loss of scenic park views from the Rotary Events Plaza. “What I would like to ask of council today is if we could have a contingency to revisit these revenue impacts later in the year when we do start seeing them and have the ability to ask for assistance in supplementing any rental revenue losses,” Thomas said.

Thomas gave specific revenue breakdowns to illustrate the potential impact: weekday elopement packages (9 a.m.–11 a.m.) make up 45% of bookings and about 15% of total revenue; Rotary Plaza events are about 10% of bookings but 23% of annual revenue; and events of 30 or more guests represent about 20% of events while contributing roughly 80% of event revenue. The museum is budgeting $192,000 in rental income for the coming year—about $180,000 in event fees, $9,000 in catering fees and $2,800 in photo-pass fees—and said the larger events drive most of its revenue.

To reduce harm, Thomas said the museum is coordinating schedules with its contractors and requests that city contractors be given the museum’s rental calendar so noisy work can pause during key moments. The museum said it already has a shared-parking agreement with a Baptist church and is prepared to offer valet vouchers for events of 30 or more guests; it also would temporarily use the main garden for some receptions to avoid disrupted park views.

During council questions, a council member asked whether the museum could rent tents to cover the plaza; Thomas replied that tents could be used but would need to be rented separately. A council member and another speaker compared the situation to the onset of COVID-19, noting the city previously waited to see actual impacts and then reserved funds midyear only if needed. One council member suggested monitoring revenue and returning with a formal request if losses materialize.

Thomas concluded by thanking the council and offering to answer questions; no formal council action was taken at the meeting on the museum’s request. The matter was characterized as a request for future consideration rather than a directive or approved appropriation.