The sinkhole that sucked up eight Chevrolet Corvettes in February still resides under the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY. What was first seen as a disaster, has led the National Corvette Museum Board of Directors to consider two options: fill the sinkhole in or keep the sinkhole in its current state. No brainer, right? Fill the sinkhole in, but there’s a good reason as to why they won’t.
According to Christy Thomas – CFO for the museum – the number of visitors from March-June 23, 2014 is up 59 percent, compared to the same time last year. Admissions to the museum have increased by 71 percent, Corvette Café sales have surged by 58 percent, Corvette Store sales rose by 58 percent, and membership to the museum has climbed by 72 percent. With total revenue up by 65 percent, the sinkhole has added a new level of interest in its customers.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise then to learn that the board has decided to keep a small portion – approximately 25 feet by 45 feet wide and 30 feet deep – of the sinkhole available for visitors to scrutinize. The original decision to fill the sinkhole was scraped after attendance and museum revenues escalated.
Construction plans also include eliminating the two-level display space to allow more cars to be placed in the Skydome and to make it easier to get cars in and out of the facility.
Thomas believes that the decision to keep the sinkhole open is the best, since it leaves the option to fill the sinkhole later, if attendance happens to drop again. However, board members are interested in obtaining more information on the sinkhole itself before proceeding with any measures. The sinkhole may alter the humidity within the Skydome, which could damage the cars on display and impact utility costs to heat and cool the room.
As of right now, the sinkhole will remain open through September for interested visitors. If you’re interested in visiting the museum, now’s the best time to see the Corvettes on display, just look be on the lookout for sinkholes.
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Fix the damn hole!
If I want to see a cave I can go to the larger one down the road.
"Admissions to the museum have increased by 71 percent, Corvette Café sales have surged by 58 percent, Corvette Store sales rose by 58 percent, and membership to the museum has climbed by 72 percent. With total revenue up by 65 percent, the sinkhole has added a new level of interest in its customers."
It's what's known as a 'spike'.
The worst part about it is that a spike is just that, a spike. It's not a permanent thing or a guarantee. Attendance numbers will fall back, and overpriced Corvette merch sales won't stay high forever.
It's suppose to be a Corvette museum, not geology exhibit. Fill in the damn hole and reclaim the floor space for Corvettes.
Just returned from visiting the museum. I can see leaving some portion of the sinkhole. It's an impressive sight. We weren't able to see bottom. Restore the dome to 95% and allow a straight-down view into the remaining sinkhole would be my recommendation for the museum. My other recommendation would be to keep the eight damaged/destroyed cars exactly like they are. That is what brought us to the museum and that is what would bring us back. Very impressive (touching?) display. Fixing some of those cars seems pointless. There isn't one good part to start bolting new parts unto.
We also toured the Bowling Green assembly plant. That tour should include bibs for the drool it creates. Really enjoyed the tour. A lot! There was a couple there getting the Museum Delivery special treatment--treatment. Imaging watching YOUR car being built and being the first person to start YOUR car.
I can understand riding the hype wave for all its worth, but making a hole in the floor a permanent attraction is just stupid. If I wanted to see a hole, I'd dig one myself. Like, the other people said, this is just a spike, and it WILL fade, people in 3 or 4 years will be waking around an otherwise pristine museum and then come across this big hole in the floor, and they'll be scratching their heads wondering why the hell its there. I don't go to a Corvette museum to see dirt and rubble, I go there to see Corvettes!
This will be old news next year.
If they want to do anything put a floor in with a glass window park cars around it.
To me it is wasted space that prevents 8 cars from being on display. But then would you loan your car to be placed in the dome now? LOL!