City Approves Concession Contract

FARMINGTON — All American Ice and Concession, locally owned by Richard and Sherri Gansz of Farmington, will have the contract this year to run the concession stand at the Farmington Sports Complex, according to Jenna Innis, the city’s recreation director and facilities manager.

The city received five proposals from groups or individuals interested in the concession contract.

Each bid specified how much of the gross proceeds would be returned to the city as rental fees and all five had a different percentage, ranging from 10 percent to 20 percent of gross proceeds.

The proposals also listed menu items and menu prices.

All American Ice and Concession will pay the city 10 percent of its gross proceeds.

City Business Manager Melissa McCarville said the city selected the firm because of its reasonable menu prices, references, experience and the fact that the company is owned by Farmington residents.

“We l ooked at the whole package involved,” McCarville said.

Richard Gansz has 20 years of military experience, which included managing the overall operating budget for his artillery battery from 2001-2003.

Sherri Gansz is the owner of Cardinal Care Center in Farmington. Their proposal shows that they have past experience running military concessions.

The one-year contract will run from March 1 to Nov. 30 and includes the option to renew for an additional two years if both parties agree.

Porky Chicks BBB was the only organization to submit a bid last year and the city made $1,700 for the season, 10 percent of the company’s gross proceeds from the concession stand.

“We’re really not out to make money on this,” McCarville said, adding the city wants to make enough money to replace equipment and pay for maintenance on the building.

The other proposals for the contract were submitted by Mark Grant with Porky Chicks BBQ in Farmington, Mike Tooley with Tooley’s BBQ in Farmington, Christy Watson of Farmington and Dennis Arnoldussen with Neighborhood News Inc., which owns convenience stores at Northwest Arkansas Mall and the Fort Smith mall.