CRESTVIEW—City Council President Ben Iannucci III said he has asked the Institute for Senior Professionals to meet with Mayor David Cadle and himself to perform a feasibility study and business plan for a sports and culture complex that could be funded by a city tourist development tax, also called a “bed tax.”
Former Supervisor of Elections Pat Hollarn, representing the institute, explained the organization “is a group of retired senior executives who have offered this service to local governments and non-profits. It is pro bono; that is the beauty of it.”
Earlier this year, Okaloosa Arts Alliance representatives presented the council with an alternative program and recommended combining the Iannucci-championed sports complex with a cultural and arts component to produce a facility that would serve a broader range of citizens and attract more visitors to Crestview.
Iannucci said the arts community’s suggestions would be included in the Senior Professionals’ evaluation.
“This does not mean approval of the sports complex concept,” Iannucci emphasized. “This is to approve the ISP developing a business plan.”
Councilwoman Robyn Helt said she “gladly” moved to engage ISP’s services. Her motion passed unanimously.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Senior Professionals to advise on Crestview sports/arts complex