Board Votes to Preserve the National Corvette Museum Sinkhole
It’s official (kind of). Fourteen board members recently decided to preserve the National Corvette Museum sinkhole, which formed back in February, gobbling up eight important Corvettes in the process. Last month, the museum toyed with the idea of keeping the sinkhole on display permanently, as it has caused a huge influx in admissions over the last few months. The board met this month to make this decision official.
According to the museum, there were three options: fill in the sinkhole and make the room look as it did before, keep it as is, or keep a smaller portion of the hole open. Ultimately, the board decided on option three, pending a review of further information. This information includes an updated cost estimate, the impact on humidity in the room (and cars displayed within), and temperature control and its impact on utility bills, among others.
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Mike Murphy, C.E.O. of Scott, Murphy and Daniel Construction, stated, “You come in and you have all these displays of the history and life of Corvette, and then you come into the Skydome to see this new part of history. I think it will always be a part of history, but will the increased attendance continue? I don’t know, but it will always be of high interest.”
That increased attendance has been incredibly valuable to the National Corvette Museum. Reportedly, the museum saw a 59 percent increase in the number of visitors from March to June 23 (compared to the same time period in 2013), a 71 percent increase in admissions income, a 58 percent increase in Corvette Store sales, a 46 percent increase in Corvette Café sales, and a 72 percent increase in membership. In total, the museum has experienced a 65 percent increase in these revenue areas overall.
The sinkhole will remain as is (as will the eight damaged Corvettes) through August. Construction will begin immediately after in September, following the Museum’s 20th Anniversary event from August 27 – 30, including the Grand Opening of the Motorsports Park on August 28.
“We have a lot to be thankful for right now,” said Executive Director, Wendell Strode. “We really want to thank all those who have stood by us during this difficult time, and we are looking forward to celebrating with everyone in August!”
More National Corvette Museum Sinkhole Photos
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