Coliseum renovation shrinks event revenue; council considers HOT and one‑time funds to fill gap

San Angelo staff told council at the Aug. 5 budget workshop that planned renovations to the Coliseum will reduce facility reservations and related revenue in FY2025–26, and staff proposed offsetting the shortfall with hotel‑occupancy‑tax (HOT) transfers and one‑time funding.

Tina Dierske and other staff outlined a conservative revenue projection that assumes the Coliseum renovation will curtail bookings; the civic‑events fund slide showed a proposed $149,000 contribution from HOT to blunt the expected revenue loss. Staff explained the $149,000 figure is a cautious estimate and that detailed timing for construction and staged bookings is still being worked out with the Coliseum operator and events partners.

Nut graf: Staff characterized the $149,000 as an initial estimate to maintain civic events programming while the Coliseum is renovated; council members asked staff to coordinate with the Coliseum operator and partner organizations to refine the schedule and minimize operating revenue impacts. Staff and council agreed to revisit specific allocations (including Concho Christmas funding) in follow‑up meetings with event operators.

Several cultural organizations used the HOT discussion as an opportunity to request continued support: representatives of the San Angelo Performing Arts Center and the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts emphasized out‑of‑state and regional visitation the arts bring to downtown and urged that HOT‑funded arts and events programs continue to be prioritized.

Council did not take a final action at the workshop; staff said items related to HOT allocations and Concho Christmas funding will be revisited in follow‑up meetings and in the formal Aug. 19 budget hearing.