Proposed Casino: A Threat to the Arts?

Tools

Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

By Mike Skurko

Springfield CityStage and Symphony Hall say the proposed casino in Palmer will be extremely difficult to compete with if a large theatre is included at the resort.

As the debate surrounding a proposed casino in Palmer rages on, Springfield’s CityStage & Symphony Hall believe their business will be severely impacted. They are worried about a resort casino's bad impact on the arts.

"The theatres contribute over $4 million annually to the local income.” said Cindy Anzalotti, President of CityStage & Symphony Hall. “We employ over 180 people throughout the year. We bring in art and entertainment for our community and our people. If we lose that, so many people would lose jobs."

Mere gambling does not appear to be the problem; it's all of the other attractions a resort casino offers, not only the theatre but the shopping, restaurants, and hotel as well.

“Well, we have that right here.” said Anzalotti. “To have it 15 minutes up the road would really be detrimental to downtown Springfield."

Overall, the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau has been on board with the proposed casino. However, a large theatre would pose an irrefutable problem for the downtown arts.

Performers such as Jerry Seinfeld, Denis Leary, and Jackson Browne could not perform at Symphony Hall in recent years due to something known as 'radius restrictions.' Casinos frequently have contracts that do not allow these acts to perform at nearby venues. So, some top entertainers may be lured to a new casino theatre in nearby Palmer, and not be allowed to perform in Springfield.

"We have 2611 seats in Symphony Hall.” said Anzalotti. “They are proposing a 2600-seat theatre. That is a direct impact."

The bill is expected to be presented to lawmakers sometime next week.

You have indicated this comment should be removed.

Close

The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .

janewyatt said on Tuesday, Mar 16 at 12:23 PM

How do you explain the success of Hartford's Bushnell Theater? Their venue leaves Springfield in the dust.

janewyatt said on Tuesday, Mar 16 at 12:21 PM

And just how do you explain the success of Hartford's Bushnell. Their venue leaves Springfield in the dust.

Oh the humanity said on Tuesday, Mar 16 at 11:43 AM

Cute article, but they fail to mention how lackluster City Stage, Symphony Hall, etc were before the casino's were a threat. I go to the casinos every once in a while. I'm not a gambler, but I enjoy the food, shopping, and yes, entertainment they provide. However, the shows they have are completely different than the fair our venues provide. The same goes for cultural centers, like Northampton. Despite me visiting the casinos every once in a while, I still manage to spend just as much time (and money) in NoHo as I did, say, 10 years ago. Crying about casinos providing what people want is ridiculous, and shows how desperate some are to live in their cushy bubble. But, such is life I suppose.

Mike J. said on Tuesday, Mar 16 at 11:11 AM

Excuses excuses!! Maybe if they had better performers there people would go. Cant stand when people make excuses about business. Where is the vision?!

mr23257 said on Tuesday, Mar 16 at 10:11 AM

The greatest threat to the arts is not a WMass casino, but an economy where people don't work, can't pay their mortgage or health care and have trouble putting food on the table day in and day out. If the arts community had any common sense, they'd be supporting that a WMass casino be centered in Spfld, near the waterfront, and partnering w/the casino to host events. But that takes vision and creativity, doesn't it? And that's sorely lacking among area arts officials.

john q public said on Tuesday, Mar 16 at 8:16 AM

I would find it much safer to go to palmer instead of Spfd.'s crime rate.....

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

CBS 3 Springfield and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

More Good Stuff

Advertisement

Weather

Icon
Current Temp 86.0 °F
Fair
Wind : from the West at 13.8 gusting to 20.7 MPH (12 gusting to 18 KT)
Humidity : 41 %
Pressure : 1009.6 mb
More Weather

Weather

More Weather

On Demand

Stock Quotes

WHYN NewsTalk 560
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.