City of Raleigh Plans Expanded Fundraising
for CIAA Headquarters, Hall of Fame and Tournament
May 18, 2004
By Eric N. Moore
Onnidan Online Managing Editor
The City of Raleigh wants a long-term connection to the Central
Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
CIAA Steering Committee Members Lewis Myers (left) and Stanley Green
(center) watch Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker explain plans to raise money
to build a CIAA Hall of Fame and Headquarters in the Capital City.
Recognizing the economic impact that the conference has brought to the city
through its popular basketball tournament, Mayor Charles Meeker and the city’s
Tournament Steering Committee have announced plans for an expanded fundraising
effort for activities related to the Hampton-based conference.
Plans call for the construction of a CIAA Hall of Fame and headquarters office
in Raleigh and for additional funds to cover financial commitments and operations
costs for the 2005 CIAA Basketball Tournament in Raleigh.
Contributions from the City of Raleigh, Wake County and private donations
from area businesses, organizations and citizens have covered expenses for
hosting the tournament.
The Steering Committee has fallen short in its local private fundraising efforts
for the tournament, so they are asking the City Council to allow it to enter
into an agreement with Sports & Properties Inc. (SPI) to conduct the fundraiser.
“We’ll let (Assistant City Manager) Lawrence Wray and his staff
call on local folks while SPI goes after regional sponsors,” said Meeker
at a hastily called Tuesday morning press conference in his office.
The Steering Committee members estimate they will need to raise $5.7 million.
$4.7 million would go toward construction of the Hall of Fame and headquarters
office with the remaining $1 million used to fund expenses associated with
hosting the 2005 Tournament. The Tournament has been held in Raleigh since
2000 and will complete its current commitment at the RBC Center in February,
2005.
City officials expect Raleigh to be a strong candidate to host the event from
2006-2008 when the CIAA considers bids for future tournaments.
“The Hall of Fame and headquarters office proposal is not tied to the
bid for the 2006-2008 tournaments,” said Meeker. “We just feel
that it is good business sense to have the CIAA in our city.”
The CIAA Basketball Tournament’s economic impact on the area has grown
to an estimated $11.5 million making it the largest income generator among
sports entertainment events and conventions held in Raleigh. The tournament’s
total economic impact over the last five years was an estimated $47.8 million.
Tax revenue generated over this period is estimated at $3.8 million, including
$983,304 from the 2004 tournament.
“A headquarters is a headquarters is a headquarters,” said Steering
Committee member Lewis Myers. “We see spring championships and other
conference activities coming to the area with the headquarters located in Raleigh.”
