Several years ago there were several articles in the Herald with proposals for building a Durango Convention Center – all extensive – all very pricey. Not surprisingly they didn’t generate any extensive follow-up. Then J.C. Penney quit – and I got an idea, bathed in the ignorance of lack of knowledge of costs and availability.

Back in the good old days when I was a marketing manager for small industrials, there was always the yearly Convention/Product Display Week, and in doing so I gained a fair bit of knowledge of what’s involved with a “convention center.”

I think that the old J.C. Penney store could be converted to the “Durango Convention Center”! The main store area would become the multiuse area for product display booths, banquets and an audio/visual stage. There are at least six hotel/motels in the area for plenty of housing of attendees. Tons of convenient parking space. Include two of the not-now-in-use small stores next to J.C. Penney – one for a commercial kitchen, one for small breakout meetings. Tie in special deals for train rides, or Purgatory tickets, or shows at Fort Lewis College. Push hiking and biking opportunities. It’ll be the go-to place for convention planners.

Joel Fleming

Durango