Cooperative ventures achieve success

Elk Grove residents enjoy local news on a special cable television channel developed by the park district and the village.

By Jack Claes

When cable stations across the country first began bidding on service contracts in early 1983, no one ever believed an individual community could actually develop its own channel. The impossibilities seemed overwhelming.

Between costs of equipment and development alone, it appeared financially crippling for any community to attempt the creation of a cable channel. And, of course, there was the problem of viewership. It was obvious no one government agency could attempt the project alone. It was going to need assistance — and lots of it.

Financial assistance

The Elk Grove Park District decided the benefits of the channel far outweighed the apparent impossibilities and worked to spearhead the channel effort. But before it could even attempt development, it obviously needed some money with which to work. That's when we first approached the village.

Under our village's franchise agreement with Warner Amex, the community's original cable company, five percent of the money that Warner Amex generated from Elk Grove sales would be kicked back to the village. The village could then do whatever it wanted with the money.

When we first approached the village with our idea for development, officials were enthusiastic, but a little skeptical about the possibility. The village decided to make an initial grant to see what we could produce.

Programming efforts

Initially purchasing a 1/2 inch-camera and a part-time cable coordinator, programming began on various park district happenings. We worked to zero in on events that our community actively participated in to better establish our presence on the cable dial. So, everything from our preschool events to our athletic events were covered.

When viewership was established, we worked to expand our coverage to include a community program using a broadcast-magazine format. Elk Grove Digest covered all public happenings in the village. When different public agencies in Elk Grove had a need to disseminate important information, or were simply looking to feature a particular event, various segments were then prepared.

Enthusiastic response

The response was overwhelming. The people of Elk Grove truly enjoyed the community channel concept and wanted more. That's when we decided to expand our efforts.

We again approached the village with an intricate plan of action. To better promote the Elk Grove community, we suggested the hiring of

Illinois Parks and Recreation 11 November/December 1987

a full-time cable coordinator, the development of a studio and, using the money for the original franchise agreement, an on-going budget.

Monetarily speaking, we were requesting about $110,000 for equipment and development from the village, and a two percent portion of the five percent it received from its franchise agreement. It was agreed that the park district would work to pay the full-time cable coordinator.

While $110,000 may seem mind boggling, it actually didn't leave us much to play with in terms of studio development. We purchased five top-notch 3/4 inch-cameras, a character generator and several other pieces to put us on track. Once we were established, we were ready to offer the Elk Grove people a new medium for community information. And we haven't stopped since.

Expanded coverage

From our live coverage of community elections to our coverage of scholastic events. Elk Grove residents now look forward to seeing regular programming coming from our Channel 6.

Elk Grove residents enjoy a special medium for community information.

And we've grown, too. From just a one-man operation of the channel, we've grown to four full-time employees, one part-time employee and a host of college intern assistants. We've established a Channel 6 board of directors, consisting of park district and village officials, to better develop the programming of the community's very own channel.

It couldn't have been done, however, without the assistance and encouragement of all our public agencies. With their help, the Elk Grove Park District is able to continue its efforts in better promoting our community.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jack Claes is the director of the Elk Grove Park District.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 12 November/December 1987