• By the Advocate Editorial Board
• Originally published October 30, 2009 at 9:24 p.m., updated October 31, 2009 at 4:25 p.m.

Much discussion has transpired about the Victoria Community Center and its purpose.

We certainly think the community center has a certain purpose, and that purpose is for the various groups and residents of the area who want to use it for functions like weddings, quinceneras, ag shows and various other shows, such as a circus.

And the community may have outgrown the center somewhat. And we think the city should explore ways to expand the center for the community's needs.

But we don't think the community center could serve as a convention center for many reasons.

"I firmly believe the community center can be used without growing it," said Bridgett Bise, executive director of the Victoria Convention and Visitors Bureau.

"I'm really not for the city spending $1 million trying to convert it to a convention center if that is what they are doing," she said.

Bise, who has about 15 years experience in tourism, outlined what a successful convention center would require.

She said a convention center should be associated with a full-service hotel; the property should be located in the hotel or adjacent with walkway and the area should be within a short distance of shopping and dining.

"It is the convenience factor," she said.

Bise envisions a smaller convention hotel with 300 to 500 rooms. "It's best to have a private hotelier come in, somebody like John Q. Hammond, who is a well-know hotelier. He's built them in San Marcos, Tulsa, Okla., Dallas and Oklahoma City, Okla."

Bise said she didn't think the city should take over such a project, that the city should provide a tax incentive to attract the hotelier.

"This would be a fabulous investment for the city. The return would be remarkable. I think the goal of the CVB is to work with the city on getting that here."

Bise said three points would be needed for a successful tourism and convention city:

aggressive marketing plan to attract leisure travelers.

a visitors center where tourists and visitors to the city could get in-person communication.

and a new convention hotel.

"I'd like to see this in the next five years. It is doable."

We find Bise's vision fascinating, and perhaps the city should embrace these ideas while working on a plan to expand the community center for our local groups and organizations.

This editorial reflects the views of the Victoria Advocate's editorial board.

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