Civic Center seeing strong numbers this summer

Civic Center seeing strong numbers this summer

Facility playing to solid crowds, drawing events

news@theeveningtimes.com

A strong report of civic center use highlighted the June A& P meeting. The good news buoyed hopes that refurbishing the Eugene Woods Center with all new chairs and tables, paint and audio-visual upgrades would parlay into a busier schedule of future events on the east end of the West Memphis RiverPac complex.

The civic center has circulated requests for proposal to market the upgraded flat surface convention and Expo center.

The meeting hall hosted a good number of highly attended events in May including preschool graduations. March brought eight events to the flat surface venue with just under 1,000 visitors. Eleven of the 12 planned events went off in April bringing in twice the visitors. Eleven of the 13 reservations booked turned into events at the Eugene Wood Center with 1730 guests according to manager Kimberly Hamilton.

Civic center income roared to a new record high.

“This is the first time we’ve had ever $5,000 in general revenue,” said Hamilton, “so business is picking up. I think the new renovations are going to help us out even more.”

Hamilton showed off the new chairs for the banquet and conference center and said the new tables were being shipped.

Tourism director Jim Jackson said the old furniture had been stored off site.

Finishing touches to technology update were being made the day of the meeting. Remote control retractable window shades and video screens were getting a final test the day of the A& P meeting. The walls had been freshly painted and coordinating acoustic panels had been hung on the wall.

The contractor delivering the presentation upgrades, Rik McSorley, Field Engineer, with Technical Innovation said his work would be finished by June 17 and

it was.

By John Rech