Nov. 18--As High Point's city election fades from our memories and more attention focuses on upcoming activities related to the Core City Plan for revitalizing several communities in the central city, there's one item of discussion from the election that folks should remember.

One point in John Sneed's campaign for an at-large seat on City Council was his belief that a convention center in downtown High Point would provide an economic boost for the city and at the same time be beneficial to the High Point Market.

Although the Enterprise did not endorse Sneed for election in the at-large race, we do share his opinion on the downtown convention center idea. And although constructing such a facility isn't included as part of the Core City neighborhood plans, it's still an idea that city leaders should give serious consideration as they embark upon plans to revitalize the central part of High Point.

We've noted the need for a downtown convention/entertainment center in the past, and we're not suggesting here that High Point needs to build a Raleigh Convention Center or a Greensboro Coliseum complex. But there are several cities comparable to or smaller than High Point around the state such as Hickory, New Bern and Fayetteville that have successfully built and operated convention/entertainment/sports complexes that cater to crowds of several thousand.

If such a facility were properly positioned and designed, it could be of huge benefit for High Point Market activities -- a venue for entertainment the market provides, perhaps -- and draw conventions, home furnishings related trade events, concerts, sports activities, high school graduations and other functions throughout the year when the market is not in session. And bringing such events downtown throughout the year would entice commercial development in the central city that would cater to those attending such events and provide services to marketgoers as well.

For example, many people -- locally and from across the region and state -- already travel to downtown High Point to attend High Point Theatre performances by the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival, which is based here. That helps stimulate the city's economy. Construction of a convention/entertainment facility would draw more of such events and spawn retail development to provide services for those visitors to the city.

Yes, we know there are naysayers: a convention center would cost too much; High Point is too small; no one will come to High Point for a concert. But naysayers never have built anything, only stopped good ideas that could have been of huge benefit. The suggestion for a downtown convention/entertainment facility should not be one of them.

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