Cumberland County set to move forward with a $5 million state-funded project to install a roof and weatherize the arena at the Cumberland County Community Complex.
Cumberland County Mayor Allen Foster said the county hired an architect to begin the design phase for the arena and related infrastructure.
“Getting that covered can prevent rainouts from all kinds of events, from tractor pulls and truck pulls and things like that,” Foster said, “To concerts or anything else that they might have there. It makes it more weatherproof.”
Foster said the scope of the state grant includes the arena roof along with upgrades to concessions and restrooms. Foster said the county is also exploring the addition of a separate convention or event space that would require a different funding source.
“We want something where people can come in and have conventions and events, you know, a large space that can be subdivided off for either one large event or, you know, maybe three, four smaller events at the same time,” Foster said. “Some kind of a kitchen that the people, the workers can actually move around in.”
Foster said the current facilities are constantly rented out and there is a high demand for more functional space. Foster said neighboring Putnam County officials indicated their own facilities are so busy they are turning away events, suggesting the regional market can support the expansion.
“I do think it would be a draw,” Foster said. “We could do more of these different types of events and things like that to bring more people in. So I think it’s, it would be a great add if we can find a way to do it in a fiscally responsible manner.”
Foster said the improvements align with the county’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan, which includes the neighboring Obed River Park. Foster said the county is currently utilizing a separate grant to repair a mile-long paved trail at the river park as part of the broader vision for the property.
“We’re eliminating deferred maintenance because that’s expensive,” Foster said. “And we are doing the updates and things that we that need to be done. We’re taking care of these buildings so that they can last us another hundred years and these facilities.”
Foster said the county intends to keep the complex open for events throughout the construction process. Foster said while a completion date is not yet set, construction typically takes about one year once the bidding process is finalized.
“We’re going to continue to improve these things in a fiscally responsible manner and get them up to the standards that the public believe they should be at,” Foster said.
