WHEREAS,
Robin Hood Dell East, located in East Fairmount Park, is an outdoor amphitheatre that seats almost 9,000 individuals and is managed by the City's Department of Recreation; and
WHEREAS,
The Dell East is a community-service venue that provides citizens an opportunity to attend summer concerts, featuring renowned entertainers as well as local talent; and
WHEREAS,
The 2006 concert series was plagued with delays in booking entertainers which adversely impacted attendance and tickets sales resulting with the City having to subsidize Dell East costs; and
WHEREAS,
Several contracts were signed just days before a show prompting a lack of advertising, highlighting the continued lack of planning during for the summer concert series; and
WHEREAS,
While there was some improvement in 2007, many questions remain unanswered such as if the Department of Recreation is putting in the proper time to advertise and promote the concerts, prepare contracts to be completed and signed in a professional manner, and develop a proposal for consulting services; and
WHEREAS,
It is uncertain from testimony during 2008 Budget Hearings if the Dell will host a 2008 summer concert series; and
WHEREAS,
Many Philadelphia families find the Dell East to be one of the highlights of the summer in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS,
The Department of Recreation must commit to Robin Hood Dell East remaining open or find alternative remedies for a 2008 summer concert series; now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA,
THAT
Council hereby calls upon the Department of Recreation to find an alternative method to closing the Robin Hood Dell East for the 2008 Summer Concert Series.
End