The Hopkins County Regional Civic Center is undergoing a "make-over" inside and out in a $700,000.00
improvement project that is scheduled for a January 26, 2013 completion date.

 

Tour of Civic Center Improvement
Project Conducted, Wednesday

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

Civic Center Board member and project coordinator, Charles Helm,
leads the local media through a tour of the improvements underway
at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center.

 

Representatives of the local media were taken on a tour of the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center, that is undergoing a $700,000.00 "make-over," scheduled for completion by January 26, 2013. "The Civic Center was completed and opened on January 1, 1979, so it was time for a major improvement project," expressed Charles Helm, a member of the Civic Center Board and Project Coordinator, who conducted Wednesday's tour. "The original construction cost of the Civic Center was $1,453,000.00 and we're spending $700,000.00 in these improvements, besides additional funds already spent on air conditioning in the Civic Center arena."

 

 

 

Charles Helm, his wife, Sharon, Civic Center Director Pansy Bell, and Board President G.V. Hughes told the group that the improvements would be paid for by the Hotel-Motel Tax that is collected from area motels and returned for improvement and promotional efforts.

 

 

 

 

Included in the improvements include a complete make-over of the exhibit hall area of the Civic Center."Imagine a grand ballroom in an upscale hotel or motel," expressed Sharon Helm, as she displayed the carpeting, upholstery, and painting scheme of the area. "We're installing more efficient lighting and will increase the lighting by approximately twice the current output, but can create an ambiance for almost any event."

 

 

Six ten foot screens will be available throughout the exhibit hall area for power-point and audio-visual presentations, as well as a new sound system for the area.

 

 

All of the restrooms in the facility are being "gutted" and new walls, fixtures, and counter spaces installed.

 

 

 

Both the kitchen area and the board room are being re-done with new wall papering, flooring, and appointments.

 

 

 

The foyer to the main Civic Center, as well as the foyer to the auditorium, both are receiving new tile flooring and wall treatments, and a new storage facility is being installed in the area west of the auditorium foyer. And, a 30' X 30' dance floor will be available for events both large or small.

All new tables and chairs are being purchased, with round tables available for banquet events, as well as additional meeting-type tables.

 

 

"We're striving for a 'curb appeal' that when you drive up to the facility that it will sell itself," advised Sharon Helm. "And, when you come inside you'll be ready to sign the contract for your event!"

 

 

 

 

 

Charles Helm advised that plans are now being made for a major landscaping project, in the spring, including the installation of an irrigation system.

 

 

"No more pink wall!" exclaimed Sharon Helm. "Think in pleasing earth tones, that have color coordinated highlights and complimentary colors, carpeting, and fixtures."

"And, put it in stone that this project will be complete by the January 26th Hopkins County Memorial Hosptial Foundation Gala event," advised G.V. Hughes, President of the Board. "We've got to have it ready for that event, so we're working on a small window to get these things done and ready for the event that will be the first scheduled in the newly re-done Civic Center."

 

 

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