Few comments about COTR move are split in opinion
By Correne Martin
The public was given its time to share comments with the Prairie du Chien Common Council, regarding support or opposition to the relocation of Country on the River, from Bridgeport to St. Feriole Island. However, those representing the public and vocalizing their opinions, at the council meeting Tuesday night, included only a small percentage of community stakeholders.
Two spoke in person and five more provided emails and letters, which were read into the record at the meeting. A half-dozen others attended the meeting but did not comment. The council only listened to the viewpoints, as it will make a decision on the matter at its Sept. 20 meeting.
A conference call between Townsquare Live Events Wisconsin and the mayor-appointed ad hoc committee (of city department heads and Villa Louis director) is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 8. At that time, the committee will address its questions and concerns with Townsquare, the country music festival’s owner.
No tickets to the 2017 festival have been sold, in anticipation of a move, though Townsquare has expressed to the council it would like its decision to be made at the Sept. 20 meeting, so it can move ahead with planning for the event on St. Feriole Island.
Those who commented publicly Tuesday were split in opinion—some were in favor of the move, others were against it and a few were indifferent about the change.
AmericInn Manager Chris Meyer is in support of the move. She said she does not want to see the festival leave the community. She feels that more ideas sharing and promotional efforts among the downtown businesses could spark more economic windfall for them, as a result of the event.
Representing PdC Main Street, board member Chris Mara wrote an email, which essentially agreed with Meyer’s points.
Carolyn Sand encouraged the council, if it OKs the 2017 festival move, to create an ordinance setting a maximum number of campsites on the island. She also pointed out that having such an event there would discourage visitors to the community from utilizing the scenic space for at least one week.
Tom Nelson, parks and recreation volunteer, quipped that holding the event on St. Feriole Island would mean a loss for the city’s park system and the Scott Sheckler family, which built the Bridgeport property with COTR in mind. He said the island has less usable space now than it did five years ago and, because of the time that would be needed to set up and take down the festival, the island would be rendered unusable by others for two weeks.
Dean Achenbach, who owns an insurance agency in Prairie du Chien, echoed Nelson’s sentiments.
Lou Davis, owner of the Pickett Fence, stated concern about how “backed up the traffic was” downtown in 2010 and 2011, when Country on the River first took place on St. Feriole Island. She said she believes numerous local businesses can reap the rewards from relocation of the festival; however, her quilt shop wouldn’t likely see as many benefits.
