Wonders of Wildlife: Search for director on hold; attendance down 39 percent

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When Fred Marty resigned as executive director of Wonders of Wildlife in May, members of the board planned to have his permanent successor named by August. Now in mid-October, a new director is still not named and the search is on hold, according to John Moore, board chairperson and head of the search committee.|ret||ret||tab|

Its on hold. Were trying to clarify and resolve some other issues involving our finances and financial plans, Moore said. Once that has been resolved, well move ahead smartly with our search.|ret||ret||tab|

Board member Max Peterson continues to serve as interim director, and continues to reinforce that he is not a candidate for the permanent position. He hopes to be relieved of the duties next month.|ret||ret||tab|

One of the goals Moore outlined for the museum back in May when it eliminated about 20 positions is that of restructuring the museums $36 million debt load. That hasnt been done yet, Moore said.|ret||ret||tab|

He said the board is currently looking at museum finances and financial projections trying to see just exactly how its all going to work and we intend for it to.|ret||ret||tab|

What museum officials are seeing through Aug. 31 is a net loss of $2.59 million. The museum finished 2002 with a net loss of $10,762. It did meet its $1.2 million bond interest payment that was due Sept. 1.|ret||ret||tab|

There is still a very, very serious financial situation, Peterson said, when looking over the museums financial statements and attendance records.|ret||ret||tab|

Through September, the museum had 211,928 paying customers compared to 349,655 last year, a decrease of 39 percent. Attendance was about 406,000 in 2002, against a projection of 900,000. Peterson said the museum is on pace for about 250,000 visitors this year.|ret||ret||tab|

Even if we get to 250,000, which were projecting ... its less than 30 percent of (the 900,000 visitors that) was predicted, Peterson said.|ret||ret||tab|

In the long term, the debt load worries him. The museum has paid $2.4 million in interest; its first principal payment is due next spring. The museum owes $36 million at 7 percent interest, Peterson said.|ret||ret||tab|

The big problem the museum has is a very heavy debt load. Something has to be done to reduce that debt load, Peterson said. I think if we can significantly reduce the debt load and get the IMAX theater in place, the conservation education center, the connection in place, we can look to a time downstream when the place can be a viable institution.|ret||ret||tab|

Peterson sees no reason that cant happen, considering the uniqueness of the facility, with its combination of live animals and freshwater and saltwater aquariums.|ret||ret||tab|

There is no place that I know of worldwide that has that kind of combination, said Peterson, who has visited numerous museums and aquariums in his previous positions as executive vice president of the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and chief of the U.S. Forest Service. Im not sure the people in Springfield understand how unique it is.|ret||ret||tab|

Wonders of Wildlife continues to offer reduced rate admissions: adult general admission is $9.95, discounted to $8.95 for Greene, Christian, Webster, Dallas and Polk county residents, senior citizens and those with hunting and fishing licenses. |ret||ret||tab|

After making 20 job cuts in May, resulting in about $500,000 in payroll reductions, employment has remained steady, Peterson said. Today there are 40 full-time employees, 40 part-time employees and more than 100 volunteers.|ret||ret||tab|

Moore expects to name a permanent director this fall. Weve got a number of people who have expressed an interest. Ive got a file of resumes, he said. |ret||ret||tab|

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