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    Thomason’s plans growth and with it, a broader distribution of its famous baked beans

    Thomason’s plans growth and with it, a broader distribution of its famous baked beans

    BRIEFS: HCPL hosts Veterans Resource Fair; City High class of ’75 reunion; HPD wants help finding car thieves

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    WEHT/WTVW employees rally for their union

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    Good News: Habitat breaks ground on another build; future owner ‘overwhelmed with joy’

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    Pittsburg uses new construction process to build a new type of water storage tank

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    Pitching ace Kemp uses bat to send Lady Cols to state again

    Trending Tags

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    Blazing-fast broadband services now available to the majority of homes in the city and county

    HMP&L signs initial agreement to build a battery energy storage system on South Green Street

    HMP&L signs initial agreement to build a battery energy storage system on South Green Street

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    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

    Executive director says this year’s arts alliance lineup gives people what they want

    Executive director says this year’s arts alliance lineup gives people what they want

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    2000 baseball Cols remember fondly state championship season a quarter century later

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    Summer Sunset Series, SummerFest ratchet up Henderson festival season this week

    May the summer blockbuster season begin!

    May the summer blockbuster season begin!

  • Lifestyle
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    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

    No Kentucky Home, Part 4: A missing bench comes to symbolize missing solutions to homelessness

    No Kentucky Home, Part 3: A church called its vision for housing a ‘Beacon of Hope.’ The mayor had concerns.

    No Kentucky Home, Part 2: After living outdoors for weeks, she got a place to sleep, a shower — and a job

    HCHS grad Tyler Brocato currently competing in a national chef competition

    HCHS grad Tyler Brocato currently competing in a national chef competition

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    Flying through ATL this travel season? Lucky you

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Officials eye new convention center at Audubon Park

Vince Tweddell by Vince Tweddell
February 9, 2025
in Business, News, Politics
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Henderson county and city officials, as well as the Friends of Audubon, are hopeful a deal can be struck with the state government to construct a convention center at Audubon State Park.


In separate interviews, Henderson County Judge-Executive Brad Schneider and Henderson Mayor Brad Staton both said a plan to get a convention center built at the park is in the works.


Staton urged caution, calling it a “non-guaranteed project.”


Schneider is also approaching a possible deal with restraint.


“It definitely is in the infancy stages,” he said.


Robbie Williams, a member of the Friends of Audubon, a local non-profit that works to support, promote and enhance the park, said the plan is a preliminary proposal and though it has community support, full approval will take time.


Still, there’s excitement about the possibility.


Staton sees a convention center as a victory for all involved. The state would see one of its parks improve, and local officials would reap the benefits of having a large meeting space. Currently there are no similar-styled spaces in the area that can hold up to 500 people, Staton said.


Staton also believes a convention center could attract a hotelier, who would be enticed to build here because of the number of people the convention center could bring to town on a regular basis.


Williams said in an email to the Hendersonian that “the Regional Conference Center at Audubon State Park has been discussed for nine years.”


This recent, more urgent push to strike a deal materialized when state government officials sent a letter to local government officials throughout the commonwealth informing them that $125 million was available in matching funds to improve local amenities, including parks, Staton said. A response was needed by Dec. 31, said Staton.


The Friends of Audubon was quickly contacted, Staton said.


Since then, the initial offer from the state economic development was modified, and the plan at Audubon Park no longer qualified, Staton said.


But the city and county decided to keep pursuing the option with a different plan, he said. In this iteration, the city and county would each pay ¼ of the price tag with the state paying the other half. And state funding, if approved, would be included as a line item in a future state budget, Staton said.


He hopes that the current plan can be presented to state officials for consideration soon.


The building would be located on the scenic lake where the paddle boat docks currently are. The $15 million project would also include a second entrance/exit that would connect to Watson Lane out the back of the park, Staton said.


Renderings of the proposed 25,000-square-foot center show a main room that can hold 400-500 people, he said. Connected to the main area are four smaller rooms, which could serve as breakout rooms, Staton said.


Staton said he didn’t know if the plan will be approved on the state level, “but we’re going to put our best foot forward.”

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Vince Tweddell

Vince Tweddell

Vince Tweddell is the founder, publisher and editor of the Hendersonian.

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Feed Seniors Now program delivers to scores in Henderson

Feed Seniors Now program delivers to scores in Henderson

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