With the clock ticking on a one-year agreement with Canad Inns and the city of Bismarck, the Civic Center advisory committee is wondering what the next steps will be.

The Civic Center advisory board held its first meeting since Canad Inns made its presentation to build a high-rise hotel adjacent to the Civic Center. Canad requested a one-year exclusive contract with the city to explore construction, which the advisory committee recommended and city commission approved.

One of the stipulations in the agreement is the city's willingness to upgrade the Civic Center and achieve master-plan goals, including a 27,000-square-foot banquet hall and meeting room expansion. This would be built in conjunction with Canad's 16-floor, 260-room hotel and enclosed water park. Canad is interested in starting work early in 2008, with estimated completion about 10 months later.

Civic Center Director Dick Petersen said that, while the contract had been signed, no one from the city had been appointed to work on the project. Peterson requested money in his 2007 budget to update the Civic Center's master plan, including estimates. His hopes are that, upon approval of the budget for 2007, a request for proposals will be issued for an architect to update the master plan.

Advisory board member Peter Welk offered his concerns that much more will have to be accomplished with improving the Civic Center next year if Canad expects to start construction in January or February of 2008.

Mayor John Warford, also an advisory committee member, said he hoped the master plan update could take place the first half of 2007. Then details could be worked out with Canad so construction could take place on both projects at the same time, providing some cost savings.

Advisory board members Warford, Welk, Bill Daniel and Dick Tschider agreed that the city should move forward on improving the Civic Center even if Canad forgoes building the destination hotel.

"No matter what happens with the hotel, all the things being planned for the Civic Center are going to happen,"Tschider said.

"Yes, they will, at some point," Petersen said.

Petersen indicated that a request for proposals for an architect to update the master plan could go out as soon as three to five weeks, depending on the city commission's budget talks. He figured it will take up to six months to update the master plan.

Petersen added that it will be important to identify funding before the master plan is updated.

"If it isn't, we'll just be spinning our wheels," Petersen said. "Someone does have to meet with the finance department and come up with a plan on how to fund the projects."

Warford said the first thing the financing department will ask is how much will be needed to fund the entire project.

"Once we know the costs, that's when discussions are going to have to start," Warford said.

Petersen said that in 2009, the Civic Center will be able to refinance some of its bonds and come up with $7.5 million in funding. That won't be near enough for the projected plans for expansion, he said. In 2013 the Civic Center's major bonds will be paid off, providing for a greater bonding capability.

Warford maintained that putting together a finance package once they have estimates is going to be one of the biggest hurdles for the city.

Welk pointed out that the city has several projects in the works, including the Memorial Bridge, Washington Street and Northern Plains Commerce Centre. He said if funding can be found for these, they can be found for the Civic Center.

"But the question is, how can we keep the Civic Center a priority with the city commission?" Welk asked.

Petersen pointed out that the Civic Center is 35 years old, but it has been well-maintained. "To go to the next level, we have to expand more," Petersen said. "If we don't, we'll have dated the building and we'll start losing events."

Petersen recommends that arena seating expansion to the north along with additional food court capabilities be addressed first. "In order to do that, we have to have design and study, and then identify a funding source," Petersen said. "Meantime, a year from now, Canad will come in with their hotel."