Work at the Convention Center has been expedited throughout the month of May. At this stage of construction, there are changes daily that are easily recognized.
Hickory Construction Company continues to move full steam ahead with this project. They have done a fantastic job leading the numerous subcontractors as we approach a summer finish.
Expansion & Renovation Update
Expansion
The installation of the wooden gymnasium floor in the Multi-Purpose Sports Venue will begin in June. Once this part of the project begins, it will take around six weeks to complete the installation and curing of the 35,000-square-foot sports flooring.
The space directly in front of the Multi-Purpose Sports Venue is also getting closer to the installation of its wooden flooring, which was specifically chosen for this space and will give it a pristine, upscale look and feel. As this space takes shape, we are excited to see how this space will tell an important story about our community and welcome events.
The new connecting corridor, located between the Catawba Rooms, which are being renovated, and the Multi-Purpose Sports Venue, has also experienced significant updates over the last month. Finishing touches will continue through June on the installation of ceiling tiles and lighting and the finishing touches on paint. The new entrance located in front of the will also continue to take shape in June.
Renovation
The updated Catawba meeting room area is almost complete. Just a few details remain to wrap up as we approach the summer completion of the entire project.
Recently, demolition began on the Convention Center’s original hallway (known as the Hickory hallway), with the removal of old carpet and tile. This area has seen many changes over the last couple of weeks, with wall repairs and repainting, new carpet and tile installed, and new baseboards, doors, and door frames to the Hickory and exhibit rooms. The Conover Hallway and Conover meeting rooms will also be updated with new carpet, paint, baseboards, doors, and more during June.
Looking outside around the Convention Center grounds, crews graveled and paved the new parking lot between the Hampton Inn 2nd floor entrance and the Multi-Purpose Sports Venue. This area is one of five parking areas in the convention center, and there are expected to be around 270 parking spots. Sidewalks and planters around the Multi-Purpose Sports Venue have also been completed.
Changes to the main entrance of the Hickory Metro Convention Center now give a glimpse of the new Visitors Center area of the main lobby. The new display racks were handcrafted by a local woodworker. In the middle of the racks will be a large display screen to highlight videos of our community and all its assets to visitors.
The new offices for the Hickory Metro Convention Center and Visitors Bureau administration staff (formerly a few offices and the Visitors Center) and the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) office renovation work are moving forward at full speed. New walls and windows were added, and other electrical work, including LED lighting, has been completed. This part of the overall project will continue to take shape in June.
In addition to the Expansion and Renovation Updates
In addition to the work that Hickory Construction Company is doing, the Hickory Metro Convention Center hired Baker Audio Visual to add a new audio-visual system throughout the entire building. This project is a $1 million investment in much-needed updates throughout the entire building. In addition to internal updates, the original roof over the hickory exhibit halls has also been replaced.
Parking spaces along 13th Avenue Drive, SE, have been lined and completed to add 55 additional parking spots for those attending events and meetings at the convention center. In addition, a new “loading” drive-thru has been completed outside of the Hickory expo space to assist with vendor move-in and out.
Lots of activity at the Hickory Metro Convention Center and as we like to say, “Turning Dirt Is Progress.”
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.
