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HAPO Center manager outlines capital needs; county staff urges formal capital‑plan compliance
Summary
HAPO Center manager Mike McCall told the Franklin County Board on May 21 that event bookings are increasing but unresolved capital and equipment needs — HVAC, parking lot work and a marquee sign replacement estimated at $175,000–$400,000 — limit revenue opportunities.
Mike McCall, manager of the HAPO Center, briefed the Board of County Commissioners during a workshop on May 21 about facility activity, upcoming event bookings and a prioritized list of capital and operational needs. McCall said the center’s May open house produced new leads and bookings for 2025 and 2026, but that lingering repair and equipment deficits have slowed revenue opportunities.
McCall identified several near‑term priorities: replacing or repairing the arena HVAC to allow summer events and public skating; repaving and striping the parking lot and implementing traffic and security plans for larger concerts; replacing the marquee sign (estimates discussed ranged from roughly $175,000 for a like‑for‑like LED replacement up to about $400,000 for an enlarged double‑sided LED display); and acquiring smaller items that would enable daily operations. He said a full inventory of equipment and assets would begin the following Tuesday and proposed an awning/entry configuration to facilitate simultaneous events in the arena and expo hall.
Commissioners and staff discussed procedures for approving capital spending. One county staff member advised that the county’s capital‑improvements (capital‑facilities) plan must be current and that capital spending should be supported by the plan and proper documentation; the staff member said prior audit findings showed weaknesses and recommended completing foundational paperwork before further capital expenditures. McCall said the HAPO accounting transition to county QuickBooks and reconciliation from Jan. 1 were largely prepared and that the facility could operate with county‑accessible accounting once the transition completed. He estimated $85,000 for certain ice‑arena readiness work, including about $30,000 allocated for skates to enable public skating.
Board members asked for a clearer process for how HAPO requests for capital or operating support should come before the board. The manager and administrator proposed a scheduled cadence for items to be placed on the agenda, or a short monthly or triweekly touchpoint for capital asks. Commissioners also expressed interest in a site tour with staff and McCall to review needs in person. No formal appropriation or budget action was taken at the workshop; staff agreed to develop process proposals and the administrator and clerk to coordinate next steps on capital plan documentation and potential agenda procedures.
