October brought with it a wave of fall color and a lot of progress on the renovation and expansion of the Hickory Metro Convention Center.
Addition Update:
In October, crews were busy installing the roof on the 35,000-square-foot exhibit hall and sports venue space. The installment of the roof was vital to the construction process before cooler weather arrived so that work continued within the expanded space during the winter months.
The block masonry is complete on the additional storage space located in the rear of the renovated Catawba rooms and the new hallway, connecting the renovated Catawba rooms to the addition/expansion is underway.
Since our previous update, steel beams, which anchor the 2,500-square-foot pre-function space in front of the expansion, were added. With these steel beams, the space is starting to take shape in this upscale pre-function space. The structure will offer an open concept, with self-contained restrooms, a conference room, and an outdoor terrace. Conversations continue for this space and plans include story-telling opportunities of the rich culture and heritage of the local furniture manufacturing industry through video, exhibits, and more.
Catawba Meeting Room Renovation Update:
The first coat of paint is complete in the renovated Catawba space making a noted difference and helping the board and staff better envision the resulting new space. Crews also began installing ceiling grids in the two new meeting rooms as well as the hallway leading from the lobby.
Hand-laid, ceramic tile work began in October on the expanded restroom located outside of the Catawba meeting rooms. Seeing the stunning tile work take shape is an exciting milestone for this project.
Additional Updates:
In October, drywall for the new meeting room in the Hickory hallway was installed. Crews are slated to begin working on the finishings in this space during November.
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.
