Council OKs video scoreboard and beverage deal for Musco Sports Center; dome installation timed for mid‑July

The Muscatine City Council approved council requests to purchase a video display scoreboard for the Musco Sports Center and signed an exclusive nonalcoholic beverage agreement for the facility.

During discussion, a city director identified in the meeting as Director Klimbs described the scoreboard as a key feature for the Sports Dome: roughly 16 feet wide by 10 feet tall with replay capability and sufficient resolution for movie nights and event displays. Staff said the purchase order to Watchfire (listed in the packet as “watch fire”) totals $107,370; a separate installation/ foundation contract will be required because the dome inflation and installation need coordination—the dome is scheduled to be inflated in mid‑July and the installation sequence must account for that timing.

The director said bids and quotes ranged considerably (rough numbers discussed in the meeting: low-to-mid $135,000 range to as high as $279,000 for the full board+install options), and staff selected a locally sourced solution reflected by the $107,370 purchase order; foundation and installation remain separate expenditures and will come before council.

Staff also described revenue opportunities: the scoreboard will be able to display advertisements and sponsorship messages; advertising and sponsorships are one identified revenue stream to offset facility costs. Council approved a nonalcoholic beverage agreement with Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company for exclusive beverage supply and identified that the agreement is designed to provide sponsorship revenue and a price lock for the concessionaire. Staff said they will solicit a concessionaire for operations consistent with the beverage supplier and sponsorship arrangements.

Councilmember Gordon moved and Councilmember Lewis seconded the purchase-order request; the motion passed with all ayes. The beverage agreement motion passed with all ayes as well.