05/21/2015
Let Your Voice be Heard!
Would you rather see a permanent Virginia Renaissance Fair be built with the multi-use options during the off season, or just a Minor League Baseball Stadium. Please read the below and use the link to let your voice be heard:
From Cornie,
"Folks,
TO BEGIN WITH, we're at the winery until further notice but keep reading.
As we all realized over the past year, we're rapidly outgrowing the winery. They've been wonderful hosts and we have a very nice place to call home, but let's face it: We're gonna need a bigger boat.
Some of our board members and I have been working closely with the county for over a year now to get serious financial support for a permanent site for our show AND other events. I've been pitching a multi-use site: part Ren Faire with permanent buildings, (think of all the possible uses for such a village, including stunning 'sets' for the Virginia Film Office to pitch and a brilliant wedding venue) a state of the art Joust field set up for a variety of uses (think of restoring the East Coast International Joust Tournament, BMX bike show, robot wars, car shows, BIG July 4 celebration, full Highland Games with pipe and drum competitions) and a gorgeous park area with rental pavilions and a large indoor/outdoor Theatre in the Round. There has been a LOT of interest in the project and we've been quietly bringing in people outside OOTW on board who have very specific interests, depth of experience and contacts who have events that would suit such a site.
Now in comes Atlantic League Baseball , with a very slick presentation and a request for $25 MILLION+ from the county for a stadium. I like baseball - don't get me wrong - but if this thing goes through, any financial and development support we were getting from the county for our project will vaporize. The board of supervisors had a vote this month and were split RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE so the promoters are going to return in 60 days for another vote. They'll come in with a sweeter deal, I'm sure. The vote is scheduled for July 31.
Out of the Woodwork (with the strong encouragement from many key players in Spotsylvania) will be coming in with our own proposal for the aforementioned multiuse site to compete with that of Minor League Baseball. It won't be as slick but it will have more passion and a much smaller price tag, which will make us particularly competative. While we're working on said proposal, I need you all to weigh in with your thoughts about the stadium. There's a form on the county website for public comment and I'm suggesting that IF you feel so compelled, that you respond explaining the need for this multiuse site for all kinds of events over a baseball stadium.
If you're all for baseball, say so. I don't want to tell you HOW to respond. I'm just saying that IF you feel strongly about support for a new faire site, this is a rare opportunity to make your opinions known. You don't need to be a Spotsy resident, although their thoughts will be given greater weight, I'm sure.
Here's the link for comment. http://www.spotsylvania.va.us/highlights/?FeedID=682.
Feel free to share this information and direct any questions or comments to me directly. DO NOT LET THE RUMOR MILL TURN THIS INTO SOMETHING IT'S NOT.
I love you guys
Cornelia Miller Rutherford"
