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The Annual Report presents updates from the 2022-2023 fiscal year on fund performance, major projects and challenges for a few of Portland's largest venues, and for the Spectator Venues program overall. Photo credit: Jeremy Jeziorski
Program and Fund Overview
The Spectator Venues and Visitor Activities Program encompasses City-owned spectator and performing arts facilities and supports City travel, tourism and visitor development efforts. Program staff are responsible for the coordination of operations management, maintenance, capital improvements, financial planning, liaison duties, contract administration, debt service and special projects for popular City destinations.
MISSION STATEMENT
Contribute to Portland’s economic and cultural vitality by developing and managing first-class spectator and performing arts facilities and by supporting a robust travel and tourism industry in the city, region, and state.
Fund Performance
Primary Revenue Sources (2022-2023)
- VFTA: 5%
- Parking: 27%
- User fees: 64%
- Other: 4% (rents/reimbursements + interest)
- Total: 100%
Financial Performance (2022-2023)
- Beginning fund balance: $14,924,897
- Revenue: $12,908,853
- Expenses: $7,696,286
- Ending fund balance: $20,137,464
View the data table for the financial performance chart in footnote [1].
Providence Park Stadium
About
Built by the Multnomah Athletic Club in 1926 and acquired by the City in 1966 as a multi-purpose stadium, Providence Park is home to the Major League Soccer Portland Timbers and National Women’s Soccer League Portland Thorns. This historic stadium has also hosted a variety of events beyond soccer, including concerts, youth camps, ultimate frisbee leagues and business events. The Stadium is operated by Peregrine Sports, LLC under the terms of a long-term agreement.
By the numbers
- Events: 41, including Timbers and Thorns
- Tickets sold: 699,784 (Tickets sold, not actual attendance)
Photo: Portland Timbers play in front of a large crowd under the lights at Providence Park.
Major Projects
In 2022-2023, various maintenance needs continued to be a focus for Providence Park. The playing field turf was replaced in winter 2022. Over the past several years, the Stadium has faced complicated groundwater intrusion issues that required the development and implementation of a permanent mitigation measure. Continued monitoring and mitigation work will expand in 2023-2024. Improvements were made on SW 20th to the pedestrian walkway and guard rails, providing a more accessible and up to date passageway.
Portland'5 Centers for the Arts
About
Under the oversight of the Metropolitan Exposition and Recreation Commission and operated by Metro, the Portland’5 Centers for the Arts consists of five theaters in three separate City-owned buildings in downtown Portland: the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Keller Auditorium, and Antoinette Hatfield Hall which houses the Brunish, Newmark and Winningstad theatres. Portland’5 brings over 700 music, theater, dance and lecture performances to Portland annually. The five venues draw over 700,000 patrons to downtown Portland’s Cultural District and generate an average of $77.5 million in total spending every year.
By the numbers
- Events: 713
- Tickets sold: 712,608
Photo: Portland'5 also hosts free outdoor events in the summertime for all to enjoy.
Major Projects
In 2022, a new sewer connection at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall was completed. The project was required by the City’s Bureau of Environmental Services and was necessitated by the rehabilitation of an existing sewer main line.
The City also released the Keller Seismic Report, outlining the 105-year-old building’s structural and practical shortcomings. In 2023, a group of interested residents, business owners and design experts joined together through the Halprin Landscape Conservancy to develop a renovation design concept for the Keller on its current site.
To find out more, visit the Keller project webpage.
Veterans Memorial Coliseum (VMC)
About
The VMC is a historic multi-purpose arena in the Rose Quarter Campus. The VMC serves as the primary home for the Western Hockey League Portland Winterhawks and was the original home of the Trail Blazers. For the past 60 years, the VMC has hosted a wide range of events and played a vital role in Portland’s history and community life. The VMC is operated by Rip City Management under the terms of the Coliseum Operating Agreement.
By the numbers
- Events: 113
- Tickets sold: 330,797
Photo: Portland Winterhawks fans line up outside the Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Major Projects
The rooftop cooling towers reached the end of their service life and were replaced in spring 2022. Improvements were also made to point of sale equipment, processing and electric vehicle charging stations at City-owned parking garages. The first phase of a project to replace the Plaza waterproofing began in summer 2022 and will continue for several years as the work is being done in sections to minimize the impact on events.
To protect health and safety, the City of Portland removed the memorial honor roll walls outside the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in early 2022. Infrastructure holding the panels in place had deteriorated and several panels became displaced from their original positions. The walls, which honor local veterans who died in active duty while serving their country, are being safely stored while the City explores long-term options to meaningfully honor veterans at the Coliseum. A new digital memorial features: history, biographies, photographs and an invitation to submit content.
Looking ahead, the City is exploring security upgrades at the City-owned parking garages and designing and preparing to construct significant renovations to the VMC which are slated to begin mid-2024. The work will be phased across 2024-2026 and will include major electrical, plumbing and emergency preparation upgrades, and full seating replacement and restroom upgrades. Depending on funding availability, additional scoreboard, audio system, seismic strengthening and upgrades to the bowl curtain, veterans’ memorial honor roll and select meeting rooms will also be completed.
Ongoing Pandemic Recovery
New Challenges
Rapidly rising costs and labor shortages are top of mind for venue operators while livability and safety issues continue to impact visitation of Portland’s Central City.
Travel and Tourism
Despite Portland’s lagging performance compared to other urban markets, Travel Portland reports that in 2022, visitors to Portland spent $5.2 billion, producing $248 million in state and local tax revenue. The travel industry supports 32,700 jobs in the Portland area.
Program Challenges
Near Term
Reputation Recovery
Persistent public safety issues and highly visible houseless camps severely negatively impacted the City’s reputation as a tourist destination for visitors. This has led to decreased attendance at the program’s venues, all of which are in the Central City and are seriously impacted by concerns about safety and livability.
Revenue Recovery
Thanks to robust venue-generated income, program reserves have been restored in 2022-2023 and currently exceed levels seen before the pandemic.
Long Term
Aging Facilities
Over the next decade, major upgrades are needed for many of the fund’s venues. The Veterans Memorial Coliseum will embark on a major two-year renovation plan in 2024. The Keller Auditorium has significant seismic deficiencies and is approaching the end of its useful life. It will need a renovation or replacement in the coming years.
Agreement Negotiations
Original 1990s Rose Quarter agreements reach the end of their initial term in 2025: Extensions of several key agreements will need to be secured in the next two years to continue Rose Quarter operations with the current partners.
Upcoming Investments
The Rose Quarter campus will require major capital projects and significant investments to continue to serve as the state’s premier event complex.
[1] Financial Performance Data Table (2015-2023)
| Financial Performance Category | 2015-2016 | 2016-2017 | 2017-2018 | 2018-2019 | 2019-2020 | 2020-2021 | 2021-2022 | 2022-2023 | Projected 2023-2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $ 11,398,727 | $ 11,420,708 | $ 12,085,158 | $ 12,436,250 | $ 9,669,139 | $ 2,172,209 | $ 10,338,317 | $ 12,908,853 | $ 9,515,609 |
| Expenses | $ 11,097,259 | $ 12,078,477 | $ 9,209,830 | $ 7,350,487 | $ 6,270,596 | $ 8,850,110 | $ 7,407,443 | $ 7,696,286 | $ 9,392,461 |
| Funding Balance | $ 7,970,062 | $ 7,312,293 | $ 10,187,621 | $ 15,273,384 | $ 18,671,927 | $ 11,994,024 | $ 14,924,898 | $ 20,137,464 | $ 20,260,614 |