The Civic Auditorium Complex Commission recently held a meeting via Zoom to discuss its financial standing, ongoing and planned renovations, and a packed schedule of upcoming events. The meeting highlighted the Pine Bluff Convention Center’s efforts to improve its facilities and expand its offerings, despite facing budget challenges.
The financial report presented focused on August’s performance. Total revenues for that month were reported at $102,309, falling short of the budget of $128,787 by $26,478. Total expenses for that month were $70,058, which was under the budget of $108,313, resulting in a variance of $38,255. Income expenses for that month were $32,251, exceeding the budget of $20,475 by $11,777.
It was also noted that the bureau’s checking account balance of $49,563 includes $7,500 for camera installation. The entertainment hall of fame checking account showed a balance of $26,490 for August. Following the financial presentation, a motion to approve the financials was made and seconded.
Discussions then turned to the proposed 2026 budget. During the director’s report, Executive Director Barbara Dunn shared that two budgets were presented: one with no cuts, carrying over the 2025 budget to 2026, and another with a 3% cut.
Before going into detail about the proposed budgets, Dunn presented financial data, detailing budget requests, approvals and actual funds received from 2018 through 2025, which illustrates a period of stable and then increasing financial support for the vital city facility.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The center’s funding history shows a consistent effort to stabilize its financial base, especially after fluctuating amounts in earlier years of the period. The initial three years saw a difference between the budget requested and the amount actually received:
2018: Requested $1,104,000, received $1,010,000.
2019: Requested $1,120,250, received $1,064,000 (noted as related to “Lights”).
2020: Requested $1,120,250, received $1,031,046 (noted as related to “Covid”).
The data indicates that the Convention Center’s requested budget remained consistent at $1,120,250 for three years (2019-2021) before a significant increase to $1.3 million in 2023.
A notable trend began in 2023, where the Convention Center’s full budget request was both approved and received, totaling $1.3 million for that year. This full funding alignment has been maintained, with the same amount being requested, approved and received for both the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years.
The steady, increased funding came as the city continued its broader revitalization efforts, including a planned $28 million Courtyard by Marriott hotel adjacent to the Convention Center.
The Advertising and Promotion Commission foots most of the bill for keeping the Convention Center operating, and officials at the A&P have been wanting to decrease the amount given to the CACC for those operations as a way to increase the money spent on advertising the city to tourists. The A&P approved a proposed budget for 2026 of $904,288, compared to the previous year’s budget of $1,187,017, which was one of the same proposed budget requests from Dunn with no cuts, excluding the bond. Dunn clarified that their second A&P budget funding request was $1,137,367, excluding A&P bond support as well.
It was highlighted that there was a significant difference between the previous year’s budget and the proposed A&P budget for 2026. The 2025 budget stood at $1,187,017, while the A&P proposed budget for 2026 was considerably lower at $904,288.
A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to repairs and renovations. Dunn outlined various projects for 2025 and 2026, including ceiling tile replacement, floor tile replacement, light panel upgrades, replacement of divider doors that are not closing properly to the ballroom, and upgrades to men’s and women’s restrooms.
The common lobby needs are ceiling tile replacement and lighting upgrades. On the Eighth Avenue side of the building, the entrance door was replaced due to locking issues. Painting, which started in August, will continue with additional areas needing attention. Two AC units in the lobby are out, with an estimated repair cost of $32,000.
In the auditorium, the needs are floor repairs, restroom remodels, sound system upgrades and carpet replacement. “I think this is the same carpet that’s been here since the Convention Center was built,” Dunn said.
In the hallway area, the need is for upgrades to display cases and additional painting.
“The dressing rooms need remodeling, in the arena, floor repairs are needed to address holes and cracks, bathroom renovations are needed, and the replacement of some blown speakers,” Dunn said. “Ceiling tiles in the arena concourses and both north and south concourse break rooms also need replacing.”
According to Dunn, all three boilers need repair, as do the chill tower and both chillers.
“I always use an example when you invite someone to your home, you want to make sure that you’re hospitable and you want to make sure it’s pleasant and warm so that they will return, and that’s the same with the Pine Bluff Convention Center,” Dunn said.
The meeting also celebrated a busy schedule of events. Dunn highlighted the purchase of 700 additional chairs from the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau at a discounted price of $10 per chair, down from $40. This was necessary due to the high number of back-to-back events.
Upcoming events include Homecoming, Pine Bluff High School Third Annual All-School Reunion and the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff Alumni Luncheon (50th anniversary). The alumni will also have a gala on Saturday night. The Fall Festival with the Pine Bluff Police Department will be held at the Convention Center, anticipating over 2,000 attendees, with several events scheduled through the remainder of the year.
Dunn expressed pride in the extensive event schedule, stating, “I know there was a lot, but I am so proud to share all the many, many events that we have forthcoming.”