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Renovated Pope Center to hold public tour June 29
The mayor also announced a special "Hard Hat Tour" scheduled for Friday, June 29, as a special preview for interested citizens and the public in general. After the Pope Center is complete sometime in August, the facility will be available for conventions, trade shows, receptions, conferences, banquets, proms, and other events. It will also have more advanced technology than any surrounding towns including Lincolnton, Greensboro, and Madison. "People already want to bring their conferences here -- that's excellent," Burns said, adding that he would like to rename the facility the "Pope Conference Center," or something comparable. The mayor also talked about plans for putting in a bid for Governor Sonny Purdue attend the Pope Center and have the Georgia Fall Awards program held here. He stated that because 2008 is election year, he would like to have Georgia Senators Jim Whitehead and Saxby Chambliss hold conferences at the Pope Center. The two million dollar project contains a ballroom that will hold up to 400 people; almost double the capacity of the old big room. The carpeted ballroom will allow for catering and will also feature a large chandelier and a retractable video screen and camera. A dance floor will also be available. Chairs and tables will be furnished and "they will not be plastic," Burns assured. Hallway floors will be tile to accommodate show displays. New construction features an even larger room fitted with folding walls that will allow it to be turned into three separate rooms. A small conference room will be available for private meetings as well. Another change will be an expansion of the parking lot that will extend west all the way to Recreation Drive. The mayor also mentioned that with this large facility lodging accommodations would be needed. This holds possibilities to expand the project by adding a hotel near the Pope Center. "This could really impact how the city looks down the road," Burns stated about the future effects of the facility. Beyond the physical and functional enhancements to the Pope Center, the new facility will also help create jobs. A management team, sales team, maintenance staff, and an event coordinator will all be needed. However, none of that will involve funding by the City of Washington. A management company will take over operation of the center upon its completion and will pay the city for its use, probably on a percentage basis although final details have yet to be arranged. Burns estimated that the project would pay for itself in only about two years and not be a burden on the city. The management company will be announced at the "Hard Hat Tour" set to start at 10 a.m. on June 29. "We have an excellent community. We have a lot going for us. We've done this with our own dollars; there is no grant money involved because we see the big picture," said Burns. Construction for the building has been done by Spratlin Construction of Lincolnton with help from Lannae Construction of Washington. Landscaping will be done by Robert Aiken.
The renovation committee for the Pope Center consists of Earlene King, Debbie Danner, Yoshi Jenkins, Pam Eaton, Dot Jordan, Kurt Wolfe, and Peggy Anderson.
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