Crown Center, Attendance Up, Ticket Sales Down

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Cumberland County's Crown Center attracted slightly more people in fiscal 2012, but officials say the arena sold fewer tickets and made less money.

The Fayetteville Observer reports 519,485 people went to events in the year ending June 30. While the number is about 800 more than last the year before, it's short of the 1.5 percent increase the Civic Center Commission had set as a goal.

Gross ticket sales were down $260,000 for the year and event revenues dropped $100,000. Business Manager Lisa Foster told the board that expenses increased by almost $350,000,

County attorneys are negotiating a contract with Philadelphia-based Global Spectrum. Company leaders say their network and relations with promoters can bring more business to the Crown, where operations cost taxpayers $3 million last year. – Staff Writers