(Arnolds Park)– 2006 is starting off on a positive financial note for the board of directors of Historic Arnolds Park, Incorporated…formerly the Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum.
Budget and Finance Chair Fred Dowden reported at Tuesday’s board meeting that operating revenues for 2005 surpassed those of 2004. However, since all contributions to the organization this year went to debt reduction, the bottom line was off about 10-thousand dollars from 2004. None-the-less, Dowden says they ended the year with a substantial profit. On a related note, the board approved a recommendation from Dowden that a full audit, not just a compilation, be performed on park operatios this year.
The board also heard an update from Sue Richter, Co-Chair of the Sustain Our Park Campaign. Richter reported that as of December 27th cash gifts and pledges totaled nearly 1.5 million dollars. She said the park’s debt has been decreased from 1.5 million to just over 373-thousand dollars. The doens not include an additional 500-thousand dollars need for seasonal borrowing.
Walter Barsell was introduced to the board. He’s computerizing back records in the Maritime Museum and identifying and labeling the museum’s history. He says the project will take about six months to complete. Grant opportunities will be pursued to help fund the project and for the purchase of a humidification system for the museum.
On another note, Julie Fillenwarth, Marketing Committee Chair, told the board they’re reviewing strategies used in 2004 and will be looking at ways to improve the park’s marketability.
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