Pasadena Center Operating Co. to Provide One Year of Benefits to Help Laid-Off, Furloughed Staff

The Pasadena Center Operating Co. (PCOC) board of directors unanimously voted to extend up to one year of health coverage benefits to laid-off and furloughed workers.

Due to COVID-19 and restrictions on gatherings, PCOC facilities — the Pasadena Convention Center, the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, the Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Pasadena Ice Skating Center — closed in March and have been open only for a limited number of small essential events.

Prior to COVID-19, the PCOC anticipated hosting over 350 events this year and forecasted a revenue surplus in fiscal year 2021. With the loss of those events, the PCOC has lost millions of dollars in revenue.

“We have long-standing employees who have been with us for over 20 and 30 years,” said Councilmember Tyron Hampton, who chairs the PCOC board.

“We are happy to cover these benefits during this difficult time to show our gratitude for their hard work and dedication over the years,” said Hampton, who also serves as vice mayor.

All told, 36 full-time employees lost their jobs due to a lack of events, including ice rink employees, ticket takers, ushers, security guards, and others. Twenty-three full-time employees were laid off on May 3, and six employees were furloughed. All remaining full-time employees are being furloughed two days per month. Seven vacant positions have not been filled. Only 26 full-time employees out of 98 remain on the job.

According to a report included in the City Council’s Finance Committee agenda two weeks ago, the PCOC will not begin to make up for transient occupancy taxes (TOT), or taxes paid by everyone who stays at a local hotel, lost due to the pandemic until fiscal year 2024.

“The PCOC’s forecasted share of TOT revenue forecast is $5,725,000, which is a decrease in TOT revenue of $5.375 million compared to the FY20 original budget and $2.959 million lower than FY20 actual,” according to a staff report. “We anticipate we will not be back to FY19 TOT revenue until FY24.”

Currently, the PCOC has $16 million in reserves. Due to its nonprofit status, the PCOC has been unable to access Payment Protection Program loans, but has advocated for the expansion of these programs and has requested the support of U.S. Sens. Kamala Harris and Dianne Feinstein, and U.S. Rep. Judy Chu.

The PCOC is dedicated to promoting Pasadena as a meeting and travel destination in an effort to maximize economic impact through the development of meetings, conventions, entertainment events, and tourism by providing professionally managed facilities and first-class service.

For more information, visit www.pasadenacenter.com.