Wednesday, Feb. 03, 2010

Amphitheater seeks new parking contract

Cary wants to make sure it's getting the best deal

SMG, which manages the Koka Booth Amphitheatre at Regency Park on behalf of the town of Cary, is soliciting bids from parking management companies for the upcoming 2010 concert season.

It's a potentially cost-saving measure, said Becky Schmidt, the amphitheater's general manager.

"We just want to make sure that we're getting the best deal," Schmidt added.

The town's current parking vendor is McLaurin Parking Company of Raleigh.

"It's our job to ensure that the vendors we're working with are giving us the best services and the best financial services they can offer," Schmidt said.

Steve McLaurin, the company's vice president, said he hopes to maintain the contract. "We've been doing parking out there for over 20 years," McLaurin said. "I think the town has been pleased with our work."

He added that his company will submit a bid.

The town spends between $800 to $1,400 per event each year for parking needs. Schmidt said the cost reflects a base fee based on attendance, plus staffing and equipment. The amphitheater hosts an average 60 events per season, which runs from April through October with an average annual attendance of 125,000.

Other contract moves

A similar request for bids led amphitheater staff, with Cary's blessing, to switch concert promoters in 2009.

The venue had used Live Nation, a competitor to Outback Concerts, which earned the promotions contract last year.

In an earlier interview, Cary cultural arts director Lyman Collins said the change contributed to the success of the 2009 concert season.

Collins noted that Live Nation promoted 10 shows during the 2008 season that resulted in a net loss of about $50,000.

During the 2009 season, Outback Concerts promoted 13 shows, which exceeded budget expectations by about $33,000.