Presented by: Proposed Sports and Event Complex in Coeur d ...

One option would be for the Fairgrounds to increase its focus on livestock events, investing in
upgrades to its livestock facilities. However, it is unclear whether sufficient demand exists to
significantly expand the Fairgrounds’ livestock event levels. The market and financial feasibility
of this option should be explored further prior to investing in livestock facilities to better
understand demand in the market.
Another scenario may involve improvement and/or expansion of the Fairgrounds’ flat floor
exhibition facilities. Simply upgrading the level of amenities associated with existing exhibition
facilities could draw a limited number of additional events to the Fairgrounds, and could help
support increased rental rates, helping to sustain the Fairgrounds’ revenue levels.
Consideration could also be given to developing a new exhibition facility on the Fairgrounds. A
facility developed as a relatively basic, clear-span building could have significantly lower
construction costs than a facility designed to accommodate spectator events. This option could
allow the Fairgrounds to retain its existing flat floor events and attract newer, larger events. This
could result in lower flat floor event levels for the proposed Riverstone facility. However, the
Riverstone facility would still host concerts, sporting events and other spectator events, allowing
the Riverstone facility and a potential Fairgrounds facility to carve out distinct event niches.
This scenario could also lead to synergies between the two buildings. As noted in the market
demand analysis, sports tournament organizers often seek large floors that can accommodate
multiple courts or mats. The presence of two facilities with large event floors could allow Coeur
d’Alene to attract larger tournaments than would be possible if only one facility were developed.
Other opportunities for synergies between the proposed Riverstone facility and the Fairgrounds
also exist. For example, a conference or trade show held at the Riverstone facility could utilize
the Fairgrounds for outdoor demonstrations related to the primary event. For example, a Land
Rover conference held at the Coeur d’Alene Resort used the Fairgrounds to hold vehicle
demonstrations and other events that could not have been accommodated at the Resort. The
same types of events could allow the proposed Riverstone facility and the Fairgrounds to achieve
mutually beneficial relationships.
While a flat floor exhibition venue could potentially represent an opportunity for future
development, the Fairgrounds may not be an appropriate location for a full convention center.
As noted previously, large convention organizers typically require an attached or adjacent
headquarters hotel, which is unlikely to be developed on the Fairgrounds. Further, a fairgrounds
environ may not provide a good fit for corporate meetings, conventions and other such events.
Therefore, if a flat floor facility were to be developed on the Fairgrounds in the future, it would
likely be more appropriate to construct a relatively basic, clear span structure with restrooms,
concessions and other patron amenities, rather than a convention facility with significant
ballroom and meeting space.
Feasibility Analysis of a New Sports and Event Complex in Coeur d’Alene
Building Program Analysis
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