ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) — The Roanoke Entertainment District focus group met for the final time to discuss what comes next for the city’s performance and sports venue, the Berglund Center, as leaders weigh major repairs and long-term plans for the facility.
“This should be our line of sight, making sure we have a safe space we’re inviting the community into,” one participant said.
Over the course of five meetings, the condition of the Berglund Center became a central issue.
“I think it was eye-opening for our participants, the realities of where we are with the Berglund Center: the challenges, the barriers, but also the opportunity we have,” another speaker said.
The center needs more than $30 million in repairs and upgrades. Berglund Center General Manager Robyn Schon Smith said many of those improvements are necessary to ensure events can be held safely and without major disruptions.
“If a boiler breaks down, it could take us out of hockey for a season,” Schon Smith said. “It could result in a loss of business that is exponentially expensive—and that’s just gambling. We’re not in the business of gambling with that type of thing.”
Roanoke City Councilman Phazhon Nash, who created the focus group, said decisions about funding and next steps will take time.
“We’re in a rush to do it carefully, which means we’re not going to rush the process,” Nash said. “We’re really going to take our time, think about things in a thorough fashion, and weigh our options.”
While this was the group’s last scheduled meeting, Nash said the city will continue seeking community input. He also said additional groups could be formed in the future.
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