The City’s Recreation Department and Leisure Services Commission is considering the possibility of renting the Kedron Fieldhouse and Aquatic Center Complex for a weekend gun and knife show early next year. This would include the fieldhouse, pools, rink and all parking.
A company that sponsors these shows throughout Georgia approached the city with a proposal to have a show at Kedron. The company would rent the facility for the weekend at a cost of about $3,600. City staff said they would close the entire Kedron complex to other events in order to ensure ample parking and avoid conflicting events.
Similar shows have been held elsewhere in the state at government facilities. City staff attended a recent show in nearby Carroll County and reported that it ran smoothly and was well attended.
“We recognize that this would be a new and unique use of the Kedron facility,” said Randy Gaddo, Director of Leisure Services. “In these challenging economic times, we have been encouraged to find new ways of generating revenue and $3,600 would be more than we could ever generate through our routine uses of the facility during that time period. We feel we have an obligation to give this serious consideration.”
The show could bring in more than 100 vendors from across the nation who attend these shows as part of their marketing and sales efforts. “These vendor teams would stay at our hotels, eat at our restaurants and shop at local stores, so this has a wider economic impact on the community as well,” said Gaddo.
The event would be planned out months in advance to minimize the impact on activities normally held at the facilities.
The company would set up the show on Friday and be opened on Saturday and part of the day Sunday as well. There is normally a nominal entrance fee that allows access to all activities.
City police staff queried other metro Atlanta police departments where similar shows were held to determine if there had been any problems. All reports were favorable, citing good security and safety procedures. The City Attorney verified that, after a review of state law, he found no statute to prohibit the event being held at Kedron.
A final decision will be made soon on the matter. For more information call the Recreation Department at 770-631-2542.
