Longview Convention Complex set to have new pavilion near memorial garden

LONGVIEW, Texas (KLTV) – The City of Longview is planning to build a new space for people to host events outdoors.

Designs are finished on a new pavilion to be located at the Longview Convention Complex.

Overlooking the J.R. Curtis Jr. Memorial Garden for the Blind, a covered, outdoor pavilion will sit adjacent to the Longview Convention Center.

A master plan was put together in 2017 to help renovate the Convention Complex. One of the items discussed was the pavilion, and eight years later, the project is picking up speed.

“For event guests to be able to filter from inside, go outside and have those kind of indoor-outdoor events, that’s really what we’re excited to be able to provide,” said Shawn Hara, the director of community destinations for the City of Longview.

The project will be 2,000 square feet, but the city said the original design was much smaller.

Manager of the Convention Complex Gai Bennett said she took inspiration from looking at other convention centers.

“It’s needed, but it’ll be a great bonus even to larger, established events. They can say, ‘Oh, we can do this outside,’” said Bennett.

“We have a lot of people that come here and want to be able to use this, whether it’s for a wedding or any kind of gathering, but we don’t have an outdoor space to really connect to make that happen,” added Hara.

The cash-funded project will be paid by rental revenues from the Convention Complex and the hotel occupancy tax.

Construction is planned to start several months after the City of Longview accepts an official bid.

“I know that whatever plans we have for it, our public will come up with more ideas. They’ll say we’ll get new business that we never dreamed of or we never imagined because of this pavilion,” said Bennett.

Proposed bids for the project will be opened and publicly read this Tuesday.

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