Review of Charles Mack Citizen Center finds busy event calendar, tight operating margins and opportunities to grow revenue

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 roughly $3.3 million in visitor economic impact through local dining, shopping and travel. "CMCC also hosts the majority of the area's large, large scale and notable events," Patterson said.

Finances and operating metrics

Staff described a decade of budgetary variation driven by changing usage patterns, renovations and the COVID pandemic. Patterson said the center—s revenue has recovered from pandemic lows and that expenditures have been trimmed, but room for better cost recovery remains. Staff calculate a weekday breakeven operating cost (staff and utilities) of roughly $1,200 per day and a lower weekend breakeven when part‑time staff are used.

The center receives in‑kind requests and supports several local organizations: the South Iredell Senior Center occupies roughly 10,000 square feet on the facility—s lower floor at no charge and received about $600 in in‑kind staff support in FY24, plus utilities and custodial coverage previously provided; the Mooresville Community Children's Theatre received roughly $30,000 in in‑kind facility and staff support in FY24. Patterson said the center also provides meeting and staff support for town boards and community partners.

Recommendations and next steps

Patterson outlined several recommended actions: commission a usage and positioning study to identify the right facility classification and revenue model; hire an experienced sales coordinator to increase proactive bookings; evaluate new revenue streams such as sponsorships, in‑house AV and bar service fees; and coordinate more closely with the Convention & Visitor Bureau on sports and conference sales. She also said staff will propose a client management software procurement to improve application, tracking and compliance for grant‑funded programs.

Senior center and downtown context

Assistant Town Manager Sherisha Hills briefed the board on the South Iredell Senior Center—s needs. Hills said the senior center uses the lower floor for programming and socialization and that finding an alternate site would be difficult. Commissioners asked staff to break out the senior center—s operating costs separately from CMCC—s event budget and to explore options for improved space or services for seniors.

Patterson told the board staff would return with additional briefing materials and a usage study timeline; staff said they expect procurement and study work to be completed in the coming months and to bring options back to the board for policy decisions about pricing and facility positioning.