The City of Paducah is inviting the community to celebrate the reopening of the Robert Cherry Civic Center. The ribbon cutting ceremony for this facility located at 2701 Park Avenue will be Monday, February 26 at 2:30 p.m.
The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will include a short program, light refreshments, and an opportunity for those in attendance to see inside the updated facility. Requests for facility reservations for dates of April 8, 2024, and later will be accepted beginning March 4.
Mayor George Bray said, “The Robert Cherry Civic Center has been the cornerstone for thousands of community events over the past 50 plus years. We are appreciative that the community has been patient as we have worked to gather feedback and determine the most advantageous renovation project. Our intention has been to utilize city assets thoughtfully and enhance the gathering space for events, improve amenities, and provide office space for members of the Parks & Recreation Department team at the same time. I encourage the community to attend the ribbon cutting to see the lovely banquet space and consider holding a family, business, or organization event at this iconic gathering space, the Robert Cherry Civic Center.”
The facility offers a lobby, restrooms, a catering kitchen, and large open meeting space that can seat up to 256 people depending upon the table configuration. The building is accessible with designated accessible parking spaces.
Director of Parks & Recreation Amie Clark said, “The Robert Cherry Civic Center is a gem in our community and provides another affordable rental space for our citizens. The facility’s closure had a large impact on our community, and we are excited to not only reopen but also provide an updated gathering space for families and organizations alike. We look forward to seeing the facility full very soon.”
The Robert Cherry Civic Center closed to the public in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since that time, the City completed a feasibility study on the building, met with stakeholders to gather input on community civic center needs, and worked to redesign the building. The collision of a truck into the building in September 2022 caused the construction documents to be reworked to account for the structural damage.
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding received by the City of Paducah is covering a majority of the renovation costs.
The building is dedicated to Robert C. Cherry who served three terms as mayor of Paducah: 1952-1955, 1960-1963, and 1968-1971.
To learn more about the Robert Cherry Civic Center including the fee schedule, reservation information, and amenities, visit Robert Cherry Civic Center.
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