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Review of Charles Mack Citizen Center finds busy event calendar, tight operating margins and opportunities to grow revenue
Summary
Staff reviewed the history, usage and finances of the Charles Mack Citizen Center, noting its role as a downtown activity hub, large numbers of community events, in‑kind support for the South Iredell Senior Center and a recommendation for a usage study, sales staffing and new revenue streams such as sponsorships.
Town staff presented a comprehensive update on the Charles Mack Citizen Center—s history, operations and financial performance, and flagged areas where staff see potential to increase revenue and improve cost recovery.
The center occupies land that was the former Belk—s building and opened in its initial form in 1995; a major expansion and renaming followed a $4.5 million plus series of grants from the C.J. Mac Foundation in the early 2000s. Christine Patterson, CMCC director, summarized the center—s role as a conference and event venue that supports corporate business, trade shows, nonprofit fundraisers and social events.
Patterson told commissioners the facility hosted roughly 480 separate events in fiscal year 2024, producing about 667 event days when multiday events are counted, and she estimated the center generated…
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