The Herald’s editorial staff and others do not seem to be aware that the Powerhouse Science Center (PSC) is a nonprofit. Nonprofits are not guided by business plans. Instead, they are guided by a mission statement and a strategic plan.
Nonprofit cultural facilities rarely are able to operate as a profitable business. It may have been a mistake for PSC to attempt to do so. While revenue from visitors and activities are a small part of the budgets of cultural nonprofits, their financial health primarily depends on community support in the form of private donations, grants and public support. Local cultural nonprofits such as the Durango Arts Center or the Animas Museum could not survive without such support. On average, nationwide, cultural facilities receive 25 percent of their operating funds through government money. Revenue from admissions and activities often is insufficient to cover the cost of the event or activity, let alone administrative staff and facility maintenance.
The PSC leases the historic powerhouse building from the city of Durango for a nominal $1. The cleanup of the site and renovation was largely covered by funds raised from grants and donations. It is now a valuable and scenic asset to our community and its visitors. It should be put to good use.
The call for a business plan is inappropriate. What the PSC needs is a solid clear mission that meets the needs of the community and has its strong support. The PSC scheduled two “listening sessions” – at 5:30 p.m. Thursday – and July 28 at the Powerhouse. This is a great opportunity for locals to express their ideas for how the PSC should move forward. As a former member of the board that helped make the Powerhouse available for use by the community, I urge all interested residents to attend one of these meetings to offer positive and constructive ideas about the best use of the Powerhouse and what the mission of the PSC should be.
Robert Dawes
Durango
