American Heat promoter says 2015 event won’t take place in Cathedral City

American Heat won’t take place in Cathedral City in 2015 after the city looked at the possibility of taking over the event that’s always been held in Palm Springs.

Palm Springs canceled the biker weekend in early July in the wake of a shootout at a Twin Peaks bar and restaurant in Waco, Texas, in which dozens of bikers were arrested. American Heat’s main sponsor, PS Resorts, pulled out of this year’s event citing security concerns.

Cathedral City saw the cancellation as an opportunity to host the biker weekend on a permanent basis.

On Tuesday afternoon, the city manager spoke to American Heat promoter Randy Burke about hosting the event in Cathedral City. According to officials, Burke said that given the short time frame for 2015, he is unable to raise the necessary sponsorships to close the funding gap required to pay the city for security and public safety resources.

Officials said the cost of providing ample security would have ranged between $40,000 to $45,000.

The idea of American Heat getting new life in Cathedral City was welcomed by city officials and businesses alike.

“We didn’t want to miss an opportunity without at least taking a look at what may work for us,” said Cathedral City Mayor pro tem Greg Pettis. “If we do this and we take the risk and we put in the investment, we want to make sure it’s long-term signature event for Cathedral City,” said Pettis.

The concern over the deadly shooting involving biker gangs in Texas wasn’t shared by Councilmen Pettis.

“The people who ride and participate in these events are doctors, lawyers, dentists, these are people with a lot of disposable income. They are not the gangster gangs that I think is a fear that people might have,” said Pettis.

“I think it would be a good idea. They need a place to go and I don’t think there should be any trouble and there is plenty of room over here for that type of event and probably bring great revenue to the city,” said Cathedral City business owner Louie Capizzi.

It would also help Capizzi’s business, Capizzi’s Cheesecakes and then some. He just opened up shop last week next to City Hall.

“I know it will be later in the season when it’s not so hot, so I can set up some kind of little food tent or something and see how it goes,” said Capizzi.

There was also no need to close any roads like in downtown Palm Springs; there is a big spot for the event right in Cathedral City.

“We have this beautiful enclosed area in front of City Hall and next to the Ultra Max Theaters that we can do special events and be more contained, but there are law enforcement costs. Then what happens at 10 o’clock at night when the event ends and the motorcycles disperse? In Palm Springs there are places for them to go at night, in Cathedral City that’s not necessarily the case,” said Pettis.

Several Palm Springs businesses support the event staying in the desert, as does former sponsor PS Resorts.

“If the rooms are available they are available to everyone and absolutely we do not discriminate anyone, we would love to see the reservations coming in and compress the market,” said Aftab Dada, Chairman of PS Resorts.

The Cathedral City Council was planning to make a decision at its next meeting on August 12.