Funds approved for Audubon Conference Center
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – Officials at both the county and city level have approved just over $5 million dollars in funds towards a new conference center to be built at Audubon State Park in Henderson. The county's fiscal court approved $2.5 million, while Henderson City Commission unanimously approved $2.7 million. The project's total is $16.5 million, with the rest of the funds coming from the state.
'This is a huge community need in our opinion, and a huge park need, but I also argue that it's such a good investment,' says Andy Rideout with Friends of Audubon.
The new center is set to be built on the former site of the beach house, giving up to 400 guests a lake-side view. Henderson tourism officials believe this will draw visitors and businesses to Henderson through conferences and banquets, and keep local couples in Henderson at a brand new wedding venue instead of crossing the Ohio River.
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'Not only are we looking at this ballroom-style conference center,' says Henderson Tourist Commission Executive Director Abby Dixon, 'where you can have 400 people around roundtables, even more, classroom-style or like a cocktail reception, of course, but also looking at breakout rooms.'
Henderson Mayor Brad Staton says the full $16.5 million price tag includes construction of a new access road, which will connect Audubon State Park to Watson Lane. 'The state has offered to pay for the road, and allow the locals to run the project,' explains Mayor Staton, 'as long as the city takes it into our umbrella for continuous maintenance purposes.'
Mayor Staton says this center also strengthens the argument to keep both Twin Bridges in place once the new I-69 bridge is built. State Senator Robby Mills has also been a vocal supporter of this project. Mayor Staton says additional costs are likely as the project rolls along, and State Senator Mills promises to cover expenses that could exceed the expected total.
'I'm here for the long haul,' says Mills, 'not just to get this money up front. If there's monies at the end that need to be acquisitioned, I'll be fighting for those in Frankfort to make this something you can all be proud of.'
A start date has not yet been determined, but once construction begins, Mayor Staton says it could take up to two years to complete.
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