Donald M. Gay Performing Arts Center reports rising attendance, highlights maintenance and funding needs

Lily Gardner, event coordinator for the Donald M. Gay Performing Arts Center, told the Auburn School Committee on Nov. 5 that the venue has seen a substantial increase in visitors since opening. "We had about 5,000 visitors to the Donald M. Gay [PAC] in school year '24; we then increased it in school year '25 with around 17,000 visitors," Gardner said, adding that the PAC recorded roughly 3,000 visitors during the first three months of the current school year and that "a total of 26,000 people have visited us so far since we opened." Gardner also reported a client-retention rate of 93.3 percent for the new school year.

Gardner outlined the center's revenue and account structure, saying school year '25 sales "cleared around 25 k" and that about 60 percent of that revenue is pass-through to cover event personnel. She said the PAC maintains three accounts — enterprise, restoration and additional service — and that the center projected it would need "about 40 k to be in the green this year," while current figures were reported as "around $50 and rising" (speaker phrasing indicates some uncertainty in the exact figure). The committee discussed the district's role in managing those funds and how PAC income is routed through the business office.

The committee pressed Gardner on maintenance issues that could affect operations. When asked whether the original painters would be contacted to remediate a problematic stage paint job, Assistant Superintendent Scott Anier said the district has engaged professional firms (Harriman and Dudley, and flooring specialists) to determine the appropriate remediation and finishing coat. Gardner also reported repeated local power outages that have caused equipment fuses to blow and said the PAC needs uninterrupted power-supply (UPS) units for two auditorium towers to protect technical systems.

City Council representative Adam Platt and other members urged the PAC to plan for longer-term capital replacements, noting that audio-visual systems can require expensive replacement over time. Gardner described ongoing plans to hire AV technicians and event trainees, expand volunteer ushers, form an advisory board to guide future decisions, and launch a professionally developed website and refreshed branding to improve outreach and ticketing.

Gardner listed upcoming and recurring events and renters, including Maine State Music Theater, Midcoast Symphony Orchestra, Maine Dance Company, Take Center Stage (Rhode Island) and a Nutcracker production that will bring professional dancers to the community. She said some renters are currently treated as outside renters and that information about fees and policies is posted on the district and PAC websites.

Committee members thanked Gardner and donors for bringing performances and educational opportunities to the district. The presentation closed with committee appreciation and a recognition that the PAC will require continued financial monitoring and periodic capital planning as it matures.