The Peoria Riverfront Museum is scaling back its attendance goal this year following a lower-than-expected visitor count since opening in October. Nearly 25-percent fewer people than expected visited the museum through June. Museum Board President Dave Ransburg says the low number also means the museum had to use nearly twice as much money as expected from private donations to fill its spending gap last fiscal year:
“I think we did a pretty good job of controlling expenses, but the attendance was down and that hurt us. So this year we’ve adjusted some expenses, we’re redoing our marketing, packaging and promotions, and so I’m optimistic that we’ll hit or exceed the numbers.”
The museum’s attendance goal this year is 200,000 people. That’s 40,000 fewer people than what a consultant originally budgeted for the museum during a full year. The museum plans to add more volunteers in addition to marketing to help boost its numbers. It also recently lowered admission fares to attract more people to the facility.