CVB approves funding for new J.B. Wells sign

A funding request for a new marquee at the J.B. Wells Park, Arena and Expo was approved in the amount of $29,878 by the Gonzales Convention and Visitors Advisory Board Thursday, Feb. 25.

Parks and Recreation Director Anne Dollery said the current electric sign will not transmit new information— allowing for the message and information to be changed— and that this loses out on an important advertising opportunity for the city.

J.B. Wells committee member Allison Davis and Mayor Connie Kacir, who were in attendance of the meeting, also spoke in favor of replacing the sign

The board will send a recommendation to the Gonzales City Council to approve the sign’s funding at its next meeting on Mar. 11.

In her report to the board as Director of J.B. Wells, Dollery said the arena suffered damage during winter storm Uri. Burst pipes from the sprinkler system have left the facility in need of new ceiling tiles, and with damp insulation.

Dollery also said the venue would soon be hosting a clinic to administer second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to the people who had received the first shot at the beginning of February.

In other business:

• The board received updates from Main Street director Liz Reiley regarding business improvement grants and efforts with David Tucy to get the Edwards Center on the national registry.
• A report on upcoming events was read by Board President Jean Burns. This update stated that celebrations for Texas Independence week, the first week in March, were planned to be scaled down due to COVID-19. The Texas Independence Relay, however is set to continue as planned, and Come and Taste It has been pushed to June.
• The board discussed the BOGO Rodeo, which had been canceled, the Historical Commission’s planned Pioneers and Patriots event, which may be pushed to 2022, the Pioneer Museum, updates on the board’s wayfinding project, and the possibility of hosting sporting events such as softball tournaments.
• A proposal for improvements to be made to the Disc Golf course was approved in the amount of $2,893.20.