By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
For months as they walked their dogs at Bowling Green City Park, Scott and Elisabeth Heacock tracked the construction of the new Veterans Memorial Building.
“We watched it going up,” Scott Heacock said.
After the building was finished, the couple had been inside briefly to vote. But on Wednesday, they toured the entire building.
“I’ve always admired it from outside,” Elisabeth Heacock said.
The new Veterans Memorial Building – delayed by the COVID pandemic – was worth the wait.
On Wednesday, the official ribbon-cutting was held at the building near the entrance to City Park.
“This moment is long overdue,” said Mary Hinkleman, director of the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce.
“This is a pretty momentous occasion,” Mayor Mike Aspacher said.
City Park has long played an important role in Bowling Green, initially being the site of the Wood County Fair, Aspacher said.
“It’s a place for our community to gather for fun and fellowship,” he said.
To make room for the new Veterans Memorial Building, three buildings had to be demolished at the park – the former Veterans Building, the Scout Building, and the Depot Building.
“Those buildings were no longer serving our community,” Aspacher said, pointing out their lack of accessibility.
“The buildings had run their lives’ course,” said Kristin Otley, director of Bowling Green Parks and Recreation.
The new 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.
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. In addition to space for large groups, the new facility has air conditioning, up-to-date 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.
Aspacher thanked the many people and organizations that made the new building possible.
“It’s certainly important that we recognize and appreciate our taxpayers,” he said. “I really feel our parks in BG are one of our best city assets.”
Aspacher also thanked former Mayor Dick Edwards for his role.
“It was during Mr. Edwards time in office that the determination to build this facility was made,” Aspacher said.
The mayor and others addressed the negative role played by COVID during the construction. Ground was broken for the building in May of 2019, with the expected opening in May of 2020.
“There were a lot of twists and turns – but we have a beautiful building now,” Otley said.
Local residents have responded – with many requests to rent out the site for reunions, meetings, receptions or showers.
“It has been used for many, many occasions,” Otley said.
“BG, this building is ready for you to enjoy,” Aspacher said.
Among those touring the new building after Wednesday’s ribbon cutting were Dr. Tom and Jane Milbrodt.
“It looks great,” said Tom Milbrodt, who serves on the Parks Foundation.
“It’s going to be really functional,” Jane Milbrodt said. “The old buildings really needed to be replaced.”
Also touring was new parks and recreation board member Emily Keegan.
“I think it’s a really great open space,” she said, noting that it offers the community a large venue that can handle up to 250 people. “I could see a lot of events happening here.”
The city is asking that anyone with old photographs of City Park – especially the old Veterans Building or Scout Building – share them with the parks and recreation department, so they can be displayed on a wall in the new building. The department can be reached at 419-354-6223 or bgparks@bgohio.org.
