By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Residents of Bowling Green watched with sadness as the old City Park buildings were demolished, then watched with interest as a new stunning structure took their place.
Soon, those residents will be using the new Veterans Memorial Building for wedding receptions, baby showers and business conferences.
On Tuesday evening, the first meeting was held in the new building for the Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Board. Prior to the meeting, tours to the building were given by Parks and Recreation Director Kristin Otley.
“It’s beautiful,” Otley said. “It’s going to be very useful for the community. It’s exactly what we needed. We just wanted to have a building people would want to use.”
Inside the front entry, Otley pointed out pieces of the past put to use in the new building. The wood floors from the old Veterans Building and stone from the fireplace in the old Girl Scout Building now adorn the walls of the entry to the new Veterans Memorial Building.
The building features three main meeting areas:
- The smallest is a room for classes or programs.
- A larger room that can hold 120, has partitions so it can be divided into two rooms, both with small kitchenettes and big screens.
- The large reception hall that can hold up to 250 people, has a stage, and a catering kitchen.
Currently, all the spaces can only hold half their occupancy rates due to the coronavirus, Otley pointed out.
The primary goal for the new building, which cost just over $4 million, was to provide improved space compared to the aging buildings it replaced in City Park. This building more than makes up for the old Veterans Building, the Girl Scout Building and the Depot near the entrance to the park, Otley said.
“We had to have at least what we took down,” she said, of the three separate meeting places.
“This means we can still have a program going on during a rental,” Otley said.
Plus the new facility has air conditioning, new technology, a functioning kitchen, and plenty of parking. There is also a patio just outside the large reception hall that is included in the rentals.
Two display areas in the entry have space for an American Legion display and other rotating exhibits.
And for the first time, the city offers a space for large crowds.
“The Simpson Building is really nice – but you can’t fit 250 in there,” Otley said.
Jeff Crawford, president of the park board, said the new building is a great addition to the city.
“It’s quite an upgrade from what we had,” he said. “It’s something for everyone to be proud of.”
Cheryl Witt, business office supervisor for the parks and recreation department, said the new building exceeded expectations.
“We knew it was going to be beautiful, but when we got in here it was, ‘Wow,’” Witt said.
The sound system and acoustic panels have to be added to the main banquet hall. And some Adirondack chairs still need to be purchased for the patio area off the main hall.
The first big event to be held at the new building will be the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce luncheon on July 15.
Reservations for the new Veterans Building are being taken for September and beyond.
Even before the coronavirus hit, the decision had been made to delay renting out the building until the fall.
“We’re almost there. We have reservations on the books,” Otley said.
For right now, the building will only be open if there is a gathering planned.
