PAC investment poised to pay off

Convention center still shy of breaking even, but keeps adding space, acts, events

The Performing Arts Center has been in operation for over a year, and now city officials are expecting it to contribute city government’s revenue in the next fiscal year.

During a budget session last week, convention center Director Larry Noccolino told the mayor and City Council that the new theater is projected to bring in $52,000 for the resort.

“That [revenue] will come from existing clients and show performers,” he said. “Fifteen events were added in fiscal year 2016, and we’re anticipating 20 events so far in FY17.”

The Performing Art Center, or PAC, opened in December 2014 in the Ocean City convention center on 40th Street. The public and some in government initially expected big-name acts would be drawn to the venue, but the reality was that the theater has been used more for convention center’s long-term clientele.

A total of 44 events used the theater in its first calendar year, and roughly one-fourth of the acts were community or touring performances.

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