Nampa Civic Center — Attraction in Nampa

As one of the families that originally sponsored the opening of the Nampa Civic Center, it disheartens me to write this but I feel it's needed and warranted. Our dance community attends this center for many dance competitions of which we pay thousands yearly to attend. Each dance competition costs us $200-350 per event, per dancer and we are at this venue up to 10 times yearly. Recently, the Nampa Civic Center has enforced a strict "no outside food or drink" policy. And refers us to the vendors they have provided which consists of cheap, processed junk food for outrageous expense. For an event like a concert, or play, I could see enforcing this policy. But I can't for the life of me understand how they think child athletes, there for 10 hour days, dancing quite extensively all day, multiple days in a row should be expected to consume garbage for energy for the sake of shaking down parents another $50 on top of everything else we pay to be at this event. And now they have custodial police walking around, with a modicum of authority expanding their pea-brains accosting people asking them if the hot dog they're eating was bought here or brought in. I mean, it looks exactly like the garbage hot dogs you sell here, but I gotta prove I didn't sneak in this putrid looking lunch to get around your no-outside food or drink policy? Absolutely ridiculous. I will be campaigning HARD to get our studio out of doing any competitions at this venue next season unless the leadership comes...

Beware the contract! We were going to have our wedding in the theater. It would have been lovely. For $1380 We could have the space, the lights would be set up, we could control the sound from an ipad, and tables with linens would be set up behind the curtain for a reception. We were only planning on cake and toasts, with a dinner elsewhere, so it sounded perfect. That was from Clarissa, a lovely lady. After that, every time I tried to talk with someone, no one would answer. I always had to drive there to get information. The next time we went we were supposed to meet with Clarissa, but met with James instead. Now we needed a sound tech, a light tech, and we couldn't have the tables and linens unless we also booked something from the Catering staff, since they were in charge of all that. All of the sudden we are talking another 2-3000$ !!!! What a bait and switch.Then, as the day approached, we heard nothing. 2 weeks before the wedding Clarissa emails and politely says "Oh, do you have your timeline ready?" I had given up months before and booked a different venue. But wondered if I was even on the radar. They refused to give my deposit back, "because that was in the contract. It was non-refundable."

I had given up working with them months before and luckily had booked another venue. Don't give them $ until you are sure of what are or are...

Today I was at the Nampa Civic Center and as I walked in right by the doors was a vending machine with various caffeinated drinks and water. Being thristy I stopped and looked. NO where was there a visible price listed, but hey why not, it can’t be more than $2.50? I put in a $5 bill and received NO change. I quickly found an employee and expressed that something must be wrong. Long story short it actually did cost $5.00 for a small 20 oz water and the Civic Center tried to take no accountability because they don’t “own” the machine. HOWEVER it is in their building!! Lesson learned and buyer beware!

Dear Nampa Civic Center, I can’t be the only one who has been ripped off in YOUR building. Please take accountability and further action and CLEARLY have vending machines prices visible for all to see! I took the hit and only ask in return that you take action and do...