The Dispatch ran a story yesterday highlighting the current problems that Scioto Downs is facing. For those of you unfamiliar, Scioto Downs is a local harness horse-racing track located on the far south side. I’ve only been there once about 10 years ago, which still makes me more of a “regular” there than most other people I know.
Anyway, while reading through the story I couldn’t help but see parallels between their problems and the problems that has caused the Columbus Symphony Orchestra to halt their operations. Both are organizations that are facing popularity problems with the public at large. Both organizations have been bleeding money for the past few years. Both having been making pleas for donations, either in the form of direct donations to the symphony or government-enacted pro-gambling laws to help Scioto Downs rebound. Both are organizations who seem to have problems with filling their seats with those elusive “young persons”.
I mentioned in my thoughts about the symphony that I’d be more inclined to go more often if I didn’t have so many other activities calling for my attention, and I’d say the same thing holds true for Scioto Downs. I believe that they could ultimately have a bigger draw for younger crowds, as they don’t have such a formulaic business model to stick to as the CSO does. If something new and crazy were to emerge from the racetrack I’d find myself more inclined to go more regularly than once per decade. I’m just not sure what exactly that draw would have to be.
Hrm. Perhaps the two groups should just merge. Or maybe the symphony just needs a few slot machines in their lobby?