New Civic Center manager Charlie Jeske finds his plate full, having just completed his second week on the job.

It will probably take a couple of more weeks before he becomes really acquainted with the the facility, but he's already comfortable working with the promoters and exhibitors, something Jeske has nearly 20 years of experience with.

The Civic Center has a good base of users, which allows Jeske to focus on events and increasing the number of users of the facility. He's been spending a lot of time with the Civic Center master plan as he puts together a request for proposal for a marketing and financial analysis, which the city hopes will determine if a major expansion can pay for itself.

"I've heard the cry for more concerts, and I am trying to work on bringing more events," Jeske said. "One problem we run into is routing. While the Civic Center doesn't have the type of competition you see in the Valley (Red River Valley), which is a good thing, it's a bad thing for routing of bands."

Entertainers that play in big markets such as Minneapolis like to book events in smaller, nearby venues like Fargo and Grand Forks, where they can seat 15,000 to 20,000 people. Bismarck is a little further down the road, and the Civic Center seats about 8,000.

"I'm not saying the Civic Center is a bad facility, but when they're looking at how many dollars they can make, more seating is better," Jeske added.

"The auditorium can be scaled down to a theater set for about 3,100 seating. That will interest a lot of different acts. The Civic Center is set up to do a nice job with basketball, and we'll work concerts around that. We're going to be pretty heavy with basketball in February and March; maybe in April we'll see some shows coming."

Determining what kind of entertainment is wanted in the region can be difficult. He does hope to meet with representatives of the student bodies in the area, high schools and colleges, to see what they will support.

"I did this in Grand Forks, and it really seemed to help," Jeske said. "I get calls daily from people who have advice on what I should do. I really don't know the demeanor of the public. Do they want more country concerts, or rap or the oldies?"

Competition was keen in the Red River Valley, according to Jeske. Grand Forks has the Alerus Center and Engelstad arena, while Fargo has the Fargodome and Municipal Civic Center. Each facility has its strengths, but each also has its own niche.

The Fargodome is geared for sporting events, particularly football, but doesn't have much for conventions. The Alerus can cater to both sporting events and conventions, but has a tougher time providing a more intimate setting for concerts.

Bismarck's Civic Center is particularly suited for basketball, and Jeske said he believes it is the best basketball venue in the state. The Exhibit Hall gives the Civic Center flexibility, providing meeting room and exhibition capabilities.

Jeske is developing a Request for Proposal that focuses on increasing the facility's convention capability through a major expansion and possible addition of a privately built hotel. Expansion could turn the Civic Center into a kind of icon for the downtown area, according to Jeske, and could help spur downtown activity.

"All I know so far about the hotel project is that the city has another year to work on a proposal with Canad," Jeske said.

The city met with Canad Inns over a year and a half ago after the hotel industry giant was chosen on the basis of its reply to a city request for proposal to provide an adjacent hotel.

Canad does expect improvements to the Civic Center as part of a package to build a high-rise hotel and indoor water park on the parking lot just south of the Civic Center. The agreement with Canad was extended a year as the city was unprepared to move forward with master plan proposals.

"In working with Canad at the Alerus, I've found they are good people to work with and are very business friendly. If they build in a community, they won't go away. They really believe in community support and partnership in a community."

Once the marketing and financial study is complete, Jeske expects a parking study is logically next.

"Parking is always an issue for any building. The Alerus had over 3,000 parking spots, and yet people were complaining, and they will no matter what you do," Jeske said.

Jeske is particularly impressed with the Civic Center workforce, which numbers about 15 full-timers. Hard working, professional and loyal are how he describes them, noting many of them have been working there for several years.

The Belle Mehus auditorium, which also falls under the auspices of the Civic Center, also caught Jeske's attention.

"I was impressed how many people use the Belle Mehus. It's a nice little facility with a lot of local support," Jeske said.

Jeske is looking forward to working with the city commission, whom he said he believes really wants the Civic Center to succeed and grow.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com.)