December
Initial discussions about the sports complex takes place on WDOE's Adrenaline Sports Show as Don Horton calls in to speak with Mike Ferguson and Juan Vasquez.

January
Public meeting attended by over 100 area residents at Dunkirk City Hall.

February
Group members tour Cleveland Metroplex

March
Committee members meet with Lee Harkness, Special Consultant to the Chautauqua County Department of Economic Development. Discussions take place with Boys & Girls Club officials, Lynn Dorler and Bob Patterson, about combining projects.

April
Mike Ferguson and Juan Vasquez announce they have created a web site for the proposed facility and the address is www.multisportsfacility.moonfruit.com. N.C.C.Y.H.A. , N.C.S.A., 2XL, Boys & Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County, City of Dunkirk, Chautauqua County Hockey Association Senior Men's League, and the Dunkirk-Fredonia Figure Skating group were all asked to provide three names as the representatives of each group. The group begins to investigate sites such as the Bay Commerce Centre on Williams/Bennett Roads, property off New Road in the Town of Sheridan, and the Pacos property on the Main Street Extension in Dunkirk. Mike Ferguson and Don Horton have lunch meeting with builders of the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena, then take a tour of the site.

May
Several elected officials and school athletic directors are invited to the monthly meeting. Rich Alexander, Chautauqua County IDA Director, gave his input on our ideas, and he made several suggestions. Key user groups were asked to bring letters of interest to the June meeting detailing what their groups would want in the sports complex.

June
Waterbourne Real Estate official, Tony D'Auria, and landowner, Pat DeSheill, address the group about land available on Arrowhead Drive and Williams Road.

July
Initial contact made with Irene Dobies from the Small Business Development Center at JCC.

August
Ned Divine, Don Horton and Mike Ferguson met at the White Inn with Rich Alexander, IDA Director; Mike Bogucki, Paradign Consulting; and Donald Harrington, Harrington-Sandburg Architects.

September
Irene Dobies, from the SBDC, attends the monthly meeting. The committee voted unanimously to authorize a feasibility study and to hire Mike Bogucki from Paradign Consulting to do the work. Members were asked to begin thinking of fundraising ideas to pay for the study, which would cost $25,000-$30,000.

October
Initial discussions are held about funds available through the Chautauqua County IDA.

November
The group's Mission Statement is finalized as well as more fundraising ideas are shared. Group members tour the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena and the Family First Sports Park in Erie. Initial research to take place regarding official IRS and NYS tax exemptions. Don and Mike met with representatives of the Chamber of Commerce.

December
Don Horton and Mike Ferguson met with Pat Pacos about his land on the Main Street Extension. At the monthly meeting, we discussed our possible tax-exempt status as well as fundraising for the feasibility study.

January
Presentations were made to the Fredonia Kiwanis Club and the Dunkirk Rotary.

February
Jim Pelletter has agreed to handle processing of our 501(c)(3) paperwork to the IRS. NCSA and NCCYHA agree to pay the filing fee.

Our first election took place and the following officers were elected:

June
Daryl Brautugam joins the group as our legal counsel.

Committee votes to have the monthly meeting on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. The annual election was set for the January monthly meetings.

Correspondence was sent to Tom Quigley and Sear Brown Architects about the design for the sports complex.

A tour of the Leisureplex Twin-Ice Facility in Fort Erie, Ontario was conducted by group members and County Executive Mark Thomas.

July
A set of By-Laws was approved at the monthly meeting.

December
Preliminary drawings were unveiled by Sear Brown Architect, Tom Quigley, at a Press Conference held on 12/10/03 at JCC North. The Chautauqua Multi-Use Organizing Committee, Inc. is legally formed.

January
Officers were elected at the annual meeting.

February
Mark Geise has been looking into grants available to fund the feasibility study.

Candy Korzeniewski was elected to fill the remaining term of Secretary as Juan Vasquez relocated after accepting a new job.

The Chautauqua County Legislature approved a $10,000 matching grant to be used towards the cost of the feasibility study.

March
Mike Ferguson submitted a grant application to the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation for the feasibility study.

April
N.C.S.A. votes to begin using $5 per registration next year towards a building fund.

May
Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation denies our grant request in part because we are not a 501(c)(3) organization.

June
Daryl Brautigam continues research into our applying for 501(c)(3) status.

December
The Dunkirk Common Council and Mayor Frey approved a $10,000 grant to help fund our feasibility study. This went along with a $10,000 grant that was awarded a year earlier by Chautauqua County that was awaiting a matching grant.

January
Officers were elected.

The Job Service Employers’ Committee (JSEC) donated $1000 towards our feasibility study.

Work began with attorney, Darryl Brautigam, to sign off on a consulting agreement with Paradigm Consulting to do our feasibility study.

The group decided that we would continue to visit other sports facilities.

February
The Chautauqua County Senior Men’s Hockey League voted to approve a $5 per player surcharge for their 2005 registration to help pay for the feasibility study.

Our initial meeting with Paradigm Consulting’s Mike Bogucki to discuss his feasibility study was held.

President Mike Ferguson met with the Chautauqua Fairgrounds Association for the first time to hear more about their planned Equestrian Center.

March
Mike Ferguson and Don Horton met with a representative from Congressman Brian Higgins’ office.

Board members made a presentation to the local Lion’s Club.

April
Board members and feasibility expert, Mike Bogucki, made presentations on the local cable access TV station. Mass mailing of 800 letters was sent to area residents and businesses to solicit funds for the feasibility study. Architect Tom Quigley provides color brochures to the committee.

May
Chicken barbecue fundraiser was held to help fund the feasibility study.

Ned Divine and Don Horton gave a presentation to the Chautauqua Visitors’ Bureau members at a dinner meeting in Mayville.

Donations of $500 received from The Carriage House Companies and $1000 from the Dunkirk Chamber of Commerce.

Board members make presentation to the Chadwick Bay Regional Development Committee.

Paperwork resubmitted to the IRS for 501 (c)(3) status.

June
Progress continued to be made on our feasibility study.

July
DFT Communications has agreed to donate $5000 to complete the funding of the feasibility study.

August
Final data is submitted to Paradigm Consulting to allow for completion of feasibility study.

September
Committee members along with Mike Bogucki give presentation on local radio station relating to the feasibility study. Don Horton and Ned Divine met with State Senator Cathy Young to brief her on our progress.

October
Committee is briefed by Paradigm Consulting as to the results of the feasibility study.

A special public meeting is held to unveil the results of the feasibility study.

Mike Bogucki and Don Horton appear on local radio station to discuss the final results of the feasibility study.

November
The Executive Council of the Chautauqua Fairgrounds Association attended our monthly meeting. The purpose was to discuss their planned Equestrian Center and to explore whether our project could be merged with theirs on the Fairgrounds site.

December
Committee members travel to sports facilities in Cortland and Lansing, New York.

Copies of the feasibility study are distributed to committee members.

January
Officers were elected.

Mike Ferguson and Don Horton present results of feasibility study to all key elected officials or their representatives.

Board members appear on local cable access TV channel as well as local radio station.

February
First sub-committee meeting is held to begin work on our business plan. Letter is received from the IRS requesting additional information relating to our 501(c)(3) status. Appropriation request is submitted via Congressman Higgins’ office to help pay for building a facility.

March
Board members make pyramid fundraising presentation to the Northern Chautauqua County Youth Hockey Association Board. Requested materials submitted to the IRS to complete our 501(c)(3) application.

April
The IRS requested additional documentation to justify our application for 501(c)(3) status.

Work continued on the Business Plan and Mike Ferguson scheduled a meeting with Irene Dobies.

May
Daryl Brautigam worked on IRS-needed changes to our Articles of Incorporation.

June
Changes were made to the By-Laws, Mission Statement, and proposed facility usage list.

Ned Divine was elected to fill our Secretary vacancy.

A web site was discussed and Dick Pachol and John Olsavsky agreed to research the subject.

August
Contacts are initiated with AYSO Chautauqua officials to seek representation on committee.

Discussions continued with the County Fair Association about a joint building project on their site.

September
Mike Ferguson is officially removed as President and an election is scheduled for the October meeting.

Another meeting was held to revise documents for the IRS for our tax-exempt application.

John Olsavsky presented information about creating a blog for our group and the committee voted in favor of it. It was felt that the cost of paying for web site design/hosting is currently beyond our means.

Irene Dobies attends monthly meeting to tell the group what is needed for the Business Plan.

October
Don Horton is elected as President to fill the unfinished term vacated by Mike Ferguson.

Revisions to the By-Laws, Usage List and Articles of Incorporation are approved. In addition, the project phases for the project are also approved.

November
Don Horton and Ned Divine gave a presentation to the AYSO Chautauqua Board of Directors.

December
Fredonia State students present the findings of their group project to the committee.

A discussion was held on the status of AYSO Chautauqua with respect to the project.

January
The Chautauqua Multi-Use Organizing Committee, Inc. is given formal IRS 501(c)(3)tax exempt status. Officers were elected.

February
Tom Quigley, Ned Divine and Don Horton give a presentation to the Chautauqua Fairgrounds Association Board of Directors.

The group opened a checking account at Lake Shore Savings Bank, thus transferring our funds from the Dunkirk Library account.

March
John Earshen from the Mattison Group gave a presentation about a fundraising feasibility study.

Recruitment of grant writers was discussed and Don said he would make some inquiries.

April
Sherry Bauer gave a presentation on her grant-writing skills.

May
A grant writing presentation was given by Amy Cuhel-Schuckers.

Plans began for a survey to be distributed to area residents to get ideas from the public.

June
Approval was granted by the Board of Directors to join the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce.

Don Horton met with Fredonia Mayor Mike Sullivan, County IDA Director Bill Daly, Dunkirk School Superintendent Gary Cerne and Fredonia School Superintendent Paul DiFonzo to update them on the progress of the committee.

Board members attended the Chamber of Commerce Networking mixer at the Italian Fisherman in Bemus Point.

July
Board members attend a Networking mixer at the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds.

Committee members staff a table at the County Fair and distribute surveys and brochures.

Paid ads began on WDOE to advertise our progress and to promote our attendance at the County Fair. New member, Karen Davis, is elected Secretary to fill the vacancy and the rest of the term of office.

Chautauqua County Fairgrounds Association decides they are not able to consider our project for their vacant land. The Board begins to explore alternative sites.

August
Board members hand out surveys and pamphlets at the Fredonia Farm Festival and at AYSO Chautauqua soccer games at Fredonia High School.

Bob Domzalski offers to donate 34 acres of land on Middle Road in the Town of Sheridan.

September
Contacts were made to architects Richard Peebles from Fredonia and Concept Construction from Elma to replace architect Tom Quigley who has relocated to Tennessee.

NRG's Community Action Team votes to give the group a matching donation of $3750 towards the fundraising feasibility study.

Amy Smith from I-Evolve, Inc. gave the group a web site design presentation. The group submits a grant proposal to the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation.

Board of Directors realigned to Executive, General and Advisory Boards. New supporters to be placed according to their interest level. Also added to the list were special events and school ambassador committees.

Gary Damico resigned as Treasurer to have more time for his grocery store. John Olsavsky is elected to replace him.

October
Several new member candidates attend the monthly meeting.

A grant proposal for web site design and hosting is submitted to the Buffalo Sabres Foundation.

A group of Fredonia State students begin work on a team project relating to the proposed sports complex.

A disc golf presentation is given by Mike Brown.

November
We learned we were denied a grant from the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation since they do not fund feasibility studies.

Richard Peebles made a presentation at our monthly meeting and distributed architectural drawings.

The Board voted to reject the land donation made by Bob Domzalski for his site in the Town of Sheridan.

The group decided to begin a fundraising campaign to match NRG's Community Action Team's proposed donation of $3750. Students from Fredonia State and S.I.F.E. help with the mailing of 120 letters to area businesses and organizations.

December
A Request for Proposals was sent to area companies related to web site design.

The Buffalo Sabres deny our grant request related to web site design.

Helped by a donation of $1850 from the Dunkirk Chamber of Commerce, we reached our goal of $3750 to match NRG's donation of $3750 to pay for the $7500 fundraising study. The total raised in this fundraising campaign was $8870.

We formed a Finance Committee to work on the Business Plan and other crucial issues.

President Don Horton gave a brief presentation at the Chamber of Commerce mixer at the White Inn.

I-Evolve was hired to develop a web site for the group.

Sherri Mason and Peter Reinelt from Fredonia State gave an Energy Alternative presentation at the monthly meeting.

Kristine Dziuba was introduced as an intern from Fredonia State. She will work on a PowerPoint presentation to be used by the School Ambassadors as well as work to revise the brochure.

March
The Finance Committee gave a PowerPoint presentation about their work on the business plan. A meeting was held with I-Evolve web developer Kevin Laubacker, as the group voted to narrow the domain choices. Alan Gens joined the group as a new General Board member.

April
Fredonia State Intern Kristine Dzuiba gave her PowerPoint presentation and asked for comments from the Board, and she worked to finalize her project. The Board of Directors voted formally to use www.cmusf.com as our web site domain. The Finance Committee gave an updated PowerPoint presentation on the business plan. The initial payment to the Mattison Group for the Fundraising Study was authorized.

May
Evie Sievert joined the group as a General Board Member and Lisa Speziale switched from School Ambassador to General Board Member.

The Finance Committee updated the Board on their progress with the business plan.

The Fundraising Study Sub-Committee, consisting of Lisa Speziale, Mark Twichell, and Don Horton, had their initial meeting with John Earshen from the Mattison Group.

I-Evolve made continual progress towards creating the new web site.

June
New drawings were received from Fredonia architect Richard Peebles.

The Finance Committee distributed copies of the business plan to the Board of Directors. It was agreed upon that this would be considered a “working” document and not a final one.

I-Evolve completed work on the new web site and it is now operational at www.cmusf.com.

The mailing list was finalized for the Fundraising Feasibility Study.

July
Packets were mailed out to over 75 area business and community leaders. Dr. John Earshen then began interviews for his Fundraising Feasibility Study.

Dunkirk Schools Superintendent Gary Cerne was the guest at the monthly meeting.