November brought cooler weather (brrrr!) and major headway on the renovation and expansion of the Hickory Metro Convention Center.
Addition Update:
In November, crews continued work on the 35,000-square-foot expansion that will be the new home for sports events, expos, and more. Hickory Construction Supervisor, Mike Reitzel, has helped keep crews on time through this process and now that this new space is under roof and the base work is done, work will be able to remain steady during the winter months ahead.
Located in front of the multipurpose sports venue and expo space, a 2,500-square-foot pre-function space is taking shape. Concrete for the floor has been poured and steel beams which will help to enclose the space went up during November. This upscale space will be an open room, boasting natural lighting with self-contained restrooms, a conference room, and an outdoor terrace. Conversations about the design of this space continue as plans include a way to showcase the importance of furniture manufacturing in this region.
The new hallway is in place, linking the renovated Catawba space to the addition/expansion structure. Seeing the spaces connected, really shows how large the convention center space will be once the expansion is completed.
Catawba Meeting Room Renovation Update:
The door frames leading to the Catawba space from the main lobby, were installed in November which defines the opening of this area even more. Ceiling grids went up in the two meeting rooms and hallway which showcases how lowering the ceiling will make the space more inviting.
Work continues on the Catawba space restrooms including the exquisite tile work being completed and a refresh of new fixtures, ceiling tiles, and more to come in the months ahead.
Additional Updates:
Ceiling tiles and duct work were added to the meeting room in the Main Hickory hallway in November. This space was highly underutilized and turning this space into a small meeting room is a welcome addition. Interior work continues in this space and with the natural light coming in from the window it will be a room that many groups will enjoy.
New Parking Options: Additional parking lots are open on or near the Hickory Metro Convention Center campus. There are three lots: 1. blue, 2. green, and 3. yellow. As always, our parking is free to you. For vendors, the unloading and loading areas have changed a bit as shown on the map above. Please be patient with each other as you are unloading. This "positive interruption" will only be for a short while and we appreciate and thank you for your patience.
Meetings and events are still being held at the convention center during this time of progress. Please remember to "Bear With Us" as we are all a part of this expansion and renovation. A minor inconvenience right now will bring significant growth in the future. If you have any questions, please call 828-322-1335.
