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Hastings plans study for new convention center
From wedding receptions, to formal luncheons, the Hastings Hotel and Convention Center has been a go to place for years, but that could all change.
Over the next few months the a new study is set to be conducted to see whether or not residents would supports a new convention center in the city The Adams County Convention and Visitors Bureau ordered the feasibility study to be done to explore what it would take to building a new convention center. Currently, the Hastings Hotel and Convention Center is one of only a few options businesses and residents have to hold big events. In fact, Tuesday night, the hotel is hosting the Lincoln Reagan Dinner. But the question is why a new center? "We as a community see an opportunity to investigate whether or not we could build and sustain a new facility of that type," said Visitors Bureau Executive Director Kaleena Fong. The Adams County Convention and Visitors Bureau and Hastings Economic Development Corporation are collaborating on a study to determine whether the Hastings community could benefit from a new convention center. "We hope this feasibility study will help us investigate what our demand is," said Fong. Currently, places like Prairie Loft and the Hastings Hotel and Convention Center serve as meeting places. "We want to make sure a new facility wouldn't impact the existing event facilities that we have like the fairgrounds or Prairie Loft - those types of event centers already being used," said Fong. The Hastings Hotel and Convention Center has hosted bigger events in the past, but they are currently without an operating restaurant. The Hotel's owner says they are working on upgrades to the hotel. She says they are working on the both inside and outside to make the hotel more welcoming. Fong says a new convention center could compete with Kearney or Grand Island in hosting bigger events. "It could give us the opportunity to bring more people into our community, to stay in our hotels, to eat in our restaurants, to shop in our stores," Fong said. The feasibility study will begin in March and the results should be available to the bureau in June. As for the convention center right now, they are hosting that Lincoln Reagan Dinner Tuesday night. |
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