Immokalee Looks to the Future

By Judy Weeks

IMMOKALEE — The turnout for Immokalee’s Community Meeting and Dinner on April 20 was very impressive. The crowd had gathered to hear a proposal for a possible business venture and improvements on the reservation.

Louise Motlow opened the meeting with the invocation followed by a buffet dinner. Then it was down to business. Rufus Tiger and Lois Alvarez, representing the Tribal Board on behalf of President Moses Osceola, supplied the subject of the meeting.

The Board has been investigating the possibility of a Family Entertainment Center and has been researching their options with Brunswick. This corporation is not only the leading producer of bowling and billiard equipment, but the developer of state of the art entertainment complexes.

Tiger said, “We want to show you what we have encountered and determine the following three things: Would you want this in your community? What would you like to see in it? and Would you be interested in electronic bingo?”

Executive Administrative Assistant to the President Lois Alvarez introduced Cheryl Ann Bolton, who had come to present the community with information from a comprehensive study of the Brunswick proposal.

Bolton, who has a master’s degrees in business and 24 years of experience, has spent the past two years working for the Tribal Board on business development projects. Her most recent endeavors involved getting Brighton’s fuel station up and running and the Big Cypress Convenience Store open to the public. Both businesses are proving to be successful beyond their expectations and turning a gross profit.

Bolton began her presentation by giving her endorsement to Brunswick.

She said, “They are at the top of their field and are considered number one in the bowling industry in the United States for the past 100 years. While an entertainment center can include many things, the present research recommends a bowling alley, movie theater, video arcade, restaurants and possibly electronic bingo.”

Norita Yzaguirre of the land use department then operated a slide show presentation of the Brunswick plan as Bolton narrated. She asked rhetorically why a bowling alley should be the “anchor business in the complex.”

“It is low maintenance,” she said; answering her own question. “Any age group can participate. It is a year round activity and very cost effective. There are over 70,000,000 bowlers participating in this sport per year, making bowling the most popular recreational sport in the U.S.”

Rufus Tiger added, “The new Ave Maria Catholic College Campus has begun construction a short distance from Immokalee and includes the building of a small town to surround the college. We are on the cutting edge with no current competition. We could have our business operating with an established clientele long before any competition could enter the field.”

Tony Sanchez of the Immokalee Seminole Casino said he was very receptive to the proposal. He said it would complement the current casino or enhance any casino expansion program. Sanchez hopes for an up-graded casino and hotel that might entice the more affluent spender.

If a Family Entertainment Center could be built adjacent to it, they could work off each other with something for everyone, he added.

Bolton continued her presentation with slides of completed Brunswick projects across the country including Las Vegas, Nev. and several large urban hubs. It was very impressive.

She said, “It is a cash business–no receivables. The center would create a balance between gaming and non-gaming revenue streams, while providing employment opportunities as well as a family entertainment experience for tribal members.

“Brunswick offers a turn-key program. They would build the center, finance it, make operational suggestions and you could own it in five years. The project holds many opportunities for expansion with restaurant franchises, skating rinks and small shops.”

Tiger and Sanchez invited everyone to come up and look at the aerial survey of the reservation with possible locations for such a complex, relocation of the pre-school, a church and casino expansion.

The general atmosphere in the room was favorable to the project and tended to lean toward a location near the casino on SR 846. This area comprises approximately 14 acres, allows for traffic flow, visibility and would keep the commercial venture out of the actual community.

Bolton and Tiger expressed the feeling that Brunswick would be the best bet because they do the whole project—only one vendor to hold accountable. They pointed that Brunswick could have it up and running within six months.

Various Tribal citizens made some very good observations, including questioning if the revenue go to the community or the Board. Monies will go to the Board with a dividend to the community. The audience also asked how this will affect the Tribal Council and the casino.

Several people said the Board should take their proposal to Council before any further discussion. They suggested letting Council announce any future plans they may have for the casino before considering a location for this project.

Immokalee citizens also wanted to know how much money the Family Entertainment Center would generate in a year. Immokalee Council Liaison Elaine Aguilar was asked to check on the numbers and talk with the Council, review the issues and then share with the community. Before this is done, any further discussion would be premature.

Other questions included how many lanes the bowling alley would have. The group felt that 24 lanes would be a good beginning because it would allow for tournament use on a regular basis.

Next on the agenda was a presentation on bingo–Electronic verses Paper. Bolton explained how it worked, costs of set-up and possible revenues for consideration.

Big Cypress Board Representative Paul Bowers was present for the community meeting and not only listened intently but gathered copies of the written data for further examination.

When asked how he felt about the Family Entertainment Center he said, “After I have reviewed everything, I will naturally form an opinion of my own. However, if this requires a vote, I will have to check with the community members and vote their wishes. That is what representative means. The community should be well informed and have an opportunity to have their feelings expressed.”

At the conclusion of the evening tickets were drawn and a wide variety of door prizes distributed by Lois Alvarez and her helpers.