R.I. Convention Center Authority sees attendance growth despite severe winter weather

PROVIDENCE – The R.I. Convention Center Authority had increased traffic to its three facilities in the first three months of the year, despite several major snow storms and a blizzard that produced heavy snowfall.
The R.I. Convention Center, the Dunkin’ Donuts Center and Veterans Memorial Auditorium drew 386,652 people, including tickets sold for events through March 29. In the same period last year, 382,000 people came to the state facilities, according to data released Thursday.
“They all performed well,” said James P. McCarvill, executive director of the convention center authority.
The Dunkin’ Donuts Center attracted the most people, accounting for 250,976 of the first quarter traffic. This included a performance by a reunified Fleetwood Mac, which came within days of the January blizzard that produced more than a foot of snow in Providence.
Other highlights, McCarvill said, were the Providence College Friars men’s basketball team, which had four games that were near-sell outs. Neil Diamond also performed at the center, along with Stars on Ice and the Harlem Globetrotters.
The R.I. Convention Center had 110,138 people, attracted to events including the Auto Show and the Spring Flower & Garden Show, while the VETS attracted 25,538.
The release of the traffic data comes as the convention center authority is under scrutiny from the state’s Republican Minority Caucus, which has formed a policy group to study its spending and performance. According to a release from the group, the state approves $20 million to $25 million a year for its construction debt repayment.
McCarvill said Thursday that the authority’s press release describing its first-quarter traffic increase was not made in response to the group.
The employees for the convention center authority buildings worked to keep sidewalks and parking areas free of snow this winter, McCarvill said, and keep the buildings open and accessible. Only one hockey game, one basketball game and one performance at the VETS were rescheduled this winter.

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