FARGO - Ask Fargodome officials and they'll probably tell you that the rock band Nickelback was worth every nickel they were paid for their May concert.
The band helped the dome continue a string of strong showings in 2010, bringing in $22,914 more in event income than expected.
That pushed the dome's net income for May to $20,310, which was $12,663 more than budgeted, figures shared Wednesday with the Fargo Dome Authority's finance committee show.
Thanks to Nickelback, Bon Jovi, Walking With Dinosaurs, World Wrestling Entertainment and other events, the dome has pulled in nearly $424,000 in net income through the first five months of this year. That's $139,000 more than budgeted, records show.
"It just shows how concerts, and big name concerts, and successful concerts have an impact on our budget overall," General Manager Rob Sobolik said.
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The nearly 12,500 fans watching Nickelback were 4,000 more than budgeted, and they spent $3 more per person on concessions, T-shirts and other novelties, figures show. Spreading out the events of the Fargo Marathon over three days also bumped up revenues for the dome, Sobolik said.
June should also be a month with the books in the black.
Last week's Carrie Underwood concert drew nearly 11,000 people, Sobolik said.
"It was very well attended; her largest show on the tour," he said.
RibFest also did well. Despite cool temperatures and wet weather, nearly 46,000 people attended, Sobolik said.
"It definitely should be profitable for us," he said.
Rockstar Energy Drink's UPROAR Festival, which features a collection of hard rock bands, offers a wall of sound Oct. 3.
Another big concert on the horizon features George Strait, Reba McEntire and Lee Ann Womack. The country stars are expected to appear Oct. 22
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The Shrine Football Classic is July 10 and USA Wrestling will fill the dome from July 18-24. The Junior Classical League meets at the dome to close out July.
August is quiet, but Bison football starts up in September.
The Gate City Bank Theatre will feature the musical "Mama Mia" in November and Mannheim Steamroller in December.
"Obviously, the postponement of Simon and Garfunkel (who were to play the dome in July) will have a little bit of an effect on us, but it shouldn't be too bad on us at this time," Sobolik said.
Schmidt is a reporter at The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead, which, like the Herald, is owned by Forum Communications Co.
