The Delaware Convocation Center Feasibility Study group released its final report with a presentation to the state General Assembly’s Bond Bill Committee.
The presentation did not include a funding request, although the group recommended that the project move forward. The center, in one form or another, has long been sought for the county.
The final report states that Delaware State University has a significant need for such an education-focused convocation center. It notes that the ability to use the center for a variety of events would add an economic boost to the region.
Delaware State University President Harry L. Williams said the findings of the feasibility study are consistent with the needs of the DSU, the city of Dover and Kent and Sussex counties. “It would give DSU much needed academic and athletics space as well as provide the university with a facility where it could hold its commencement ceremonies without being impacted by adverse weather,” Williams said. “Because the facility would also be used as an entertainment and conference venue, the potential economic impact will mean more revenue for the businesses and suppliers of city of Dover, the county and state, as well as additional job creation.”
With respect to the operations of the facility, the report recommends that a public-private partnership run the convocation center in way that makes it an asset to the University, Dover, and Kent and Sussex counties. It notes that such a partnership would maximize the facility’s utilization rate and also enhance the relations between DSU and the civic communities.
The final report recommends that the Convocation Center be located on a parcel within the city limits, west of DuPont Highway, north of the DSU campus, and on the south side of Sam’s Club merchandise store.
The report proposes that the Convocation Center be constructed in two phases, with the first phase projected to cost $57.5 million. The report notes that the capital cost of the project would be augmented by income-generating events that would be held at the Convocation Center.
Phase I would complete about 85 percent of the building, which would include 4,882 seats (permanent and temporary), a 5,400 square foot ballroom, a 3,300 square feet in breakout meeting spaces, and 20,000 square feet in academic space. Phase II would install the remaining 1,118 seats on the west end of the building, completing the circular bowl permanent seats.
The center would include space for DSU’s Health and Wellness Program. The classroom space would also double as meeting and ballroom spaces, and could cater to the area’s convention and conference work.
While noting that Dover metropolitan area is home to about 168,000 residents, the report states that the Convocation Center would also draw attendees from throughout the Delmarva region, which has a population of about 1.4 million, as well as some visitors from the surrounding states. Currently there is no indoor entertainment venue in the city of Dover that has a seating capacity greater than 2,500 seats. In addition, the Convocation Center would be versatile in the possible indoor configurations that could be set up, allowing for a variety of sporting, entertainment and conference events.
The feasibility study process included more than 10 months of research, analysis, workshops, presentations and feedback. More than 300 people were surveyed from DSU, the residents of surrounding area, and the Kent County business community.
“The committee worked extremely hard to keep costs reasonable and yet recommend a viable economic growth tool,” Williams said. “When compared to other similar projects nationally, this center is a true bargain. It will put DSU and Southern Delaware on the map!”
The 15-member steering committee fully endorsed the feasibility study report by the project team comprised of representatives from Holzman Moss Bottino Architecture, ForeSite Facility Planners, Conventions, Sports & Leisure International, Becker Morgan Group, and EDIS.
