Cumberland: Cumberland County formally began construction of the Crown Event Centre downtown on Friday at 2 p.m., with a ceremonial turning of dirt shovels. The $145 million project is being developed at the County Courthouse parking lot on Gillespie Street, between the existing and new county courthouses. It is slated to open in spring 2027. Glenn Adams, Chairperson of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, addressed attendees at Friday’s groundbreaking ceremony, referring to the downtown venue’s construction milestone.
All About Event Centre
The Event Centre will replace the Crown Arena and Crown Theatre in the Crown Complex, located on Coliseum Drive between U.S. 301 South and Owen Drive. The arena and theatre were erected in the late 1960s. According to a county news release, the Event Centre will serve as a multipurpose venue for concerts, shows, banquets, meetings, and other activities. According to the news release, the Event Centre will be around 134,000 square feet in size, with a three-story main event hall capable of seating 3,000 people and a rooftop terrace.
Fund For Event Centre
The centre, which includes cutting-edge back-of-house and performer areas, is intended to deliver a unique experience that will attract both patrons and artists returning to Cumberland County. In addition, numerous conference spaces will be available for use either separately or in conjunction with the other aspects of the building. The proceeds from Cumberland County’s restaurant food sales tax are being used to fund the Event Centre. This 1% tax on prepared food and beverages, sometimes known as a prepared food-and-beverage tax, was imposed by the county in the 1990s to fund the Crown Coliseum’s development.
Lawsuit Under Americans With Disabilities Act
Since a lady in a wheelchair sued the county in 2014 under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Event Centre has been in the works for years. She claimed that she found it difficult to enter the Crown Complex, find her seat, use the bathrooms, and attend events in general. The Crown Coliseum, Crown Expo Centre, Crown Arena, Crown Ballroom, and Crown Theatre are all part of the Crown Complex. In December 2015, the county commissioners agreed to make all of the facilities ADA-compliant as part of the settlement of the lawsuit.