The Peachtree City Recreation Department, after getting public input for and against, has decided not to host a gun show at the Kedron Fieldhouse.
In a news release issued Friday, Leisure Services Director Randy Gaddo said his agency would work with local officials to try and identify a suitable location to host the show in the city.
Following is the news release from the city:
The Recreation Department has decided not to pursue the idea of hosting a gun and knife show at the Kedron Fieldhouse and Aquatic Center; however, they will work with local officials to try and identify a suitable place in Peachtree City for the show.
“The department was approached late last year by an Atlanta-based company that proposed having a show at the facility. After conducting research on the company and gun shows in general, department officials decided to issue a press release in December regarding the proposal to gather public input on the idea. The show was also subject of discussion at Leisure Services Commission public meetings in November and December.
“We received mixed reactions,” said Leisure Services Director Randy Gaddo. “We had people who were glad to see a show like this coming to south Atlanta, and there were some who were not glad to see it.” Gaddo said the negative responses came from neighbors who live in the immediate vicinity of the Kedron facility.
“After weighing the pros and cons of hosting such a show at Kedron, I decided it would not be as good a fit as some of the other shows we have been hosting there,” said Gaddo. The Recreation Department has been using Kedron for events such as jewelry and accessory shows last year and one coming up March 12 and the upcoming Father-Daughter Dance Feb. 5.
Gaddo said that Kedron is used for many arts and crafts classes so promoting the jewelry and accessory shows, which feature hand-made items, helps promote what is done at the facility throughout the year. The Father Daughter Dance supports family activities, which is a major theme in Recreation.
“These have been very successful shows and have received nothing but positive response from the public and the vendors,” said Gaddo. “We intend to continue pursuing ideas for shows that are parallel with the type of programming we normally do at Kedron.”
Gaddo noted that, in response to the many positive responses received for the gun show, he is talking with local authorities to see if there is interest from commercial sources to host the show.
