03/06/2014 – CHAMBER TO HOST “THINK TANK” MEETING ON MUNSINGWEAR – 6:00 pm, March 6th, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 26, 2014
HAMILTON AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
(205) 921-7786

CHAMBER TO HOST “THINK TANK” MEETING ON MUNSINGWEAR

The Hamilton Area Chamber of Commerce will host a “think tank” meeting on Thursday, March 6, at 6 p.m., at the combined offices of the Chamber and the Northwest Alabama Arts Council, located at 190 Military Street South in downtown Hamilton.

Organizers encourage anyone who is interested in a civic center-type facility to attend. The purpose of the meeting is to have open discussions on the possible uses of a renovated Munsingwear building or other civic center site in the Hamilton area.

Of specific interest to the Chamber are those people and groups in the community who can assist in bringing conferences, conventions, activities, and meetings to the facility. Special invitations are extended to area civic, nonprofit, and church leaders who often have the opportunity to host or bid on such events. Area business leaders are asked to send representatives to share their ideas and to provide insight as to how such a complex would enhance their business and provide new opportunities for them.

Additionally, those with general ideas of how the potential rehabilitation of space within the Munsingwear facility could best be utilized are encouraged to attend. “We’ve heard everything from smaller sized rooms to host baby showers and bridal showers to a senior center with a rehabilitation pool, museums, storm shelter, exhibition space, to a full blown concert hall,” said board president Marla Minter. These are the types of ideas we want to get from our community members, and we want them to help us understand what is most needed and most wanted in a facility of this type.

The “think tank” meeting will not be limited to the facility portion of Munsingwear as discussions will be held on the usage of the 40-plus acres on the south side of the building. Suggestions briefly mentioned to the Chamber have included ball fields, a river walk, canoe run, splash pad, and zip lines.

“With the Hamilton mayor and city council weighing this subject in the next few weeks, we wanted to take the opportunity to hear from the public and see if we could help narrow down what our needs truly are. While there are many items on a proposed civic center wish list, it really boils down to balancing what the needs of the community are and what it will also be financially feasible to do. We hope this will allow us to get some really good, solid ideas that the mayor and council can think about as they make these decisions going forward,” Minter said.

Minter says the mayor and council will be invited to attend and listen to the ideas and suggestions given at the meeting. A general report will be shared with the mayor and council with the results of the group’s discussions.

Those who will not be able to attend but would like to share their ideas are encouraged to do so by calling the Chamber office at (205) 921-7786, or via email to chamber@hamiltonchamberofcommerce.org.

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