Feb. 16, 2009

New Cherokee Arena being put to good use

By Kevyn Bowling

CENTRE — During the construction of the Gadsden State Cherokee Arena, many local citizens wondered, “What exactly are they going to use that for?” The answer, several months after its completion: anything and everything. From concerts to conventions, basketball games to banquets, dinner to dances, the arena is host to multitudes of fun.

Over 90 events have already been scheduled to take place in Cherokee County's largest venue.

“The amount of events scheduled has far exceeded our expectations,” said Thereasa Hulgan, Executive Director of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce. “Everyone is impressed with the new arena. They especially seem to like the lighted parking lot. It's nice being able to step out and see your car after a basketball game.”

The Cherokee Arena, whose primary function is for sporting events, hosted the high school Christmas tournament sponsored by Cedar Bluff High School, and the Cherokee County tournament sponsored by Spring Garden High School. Cedar Bluff also played a lot of their home games at the complex because their gym is undergoing renovations.

On Tues., Feb. 24, the Harlem Ambassadors will play a team of teachers and administrators from local schools. The Ambassadors, much like Harlem Globetrotters, take a lot of trick shots and play to promote the message of “staying in school and not doing drugs.” Hulgan expects the local team, named the Hometown Heroes, to take a lot of punishment during the game.

The tentative roster lists these people as players: Harley McGatha, Kristy Bedwell, Sandi Wheeling, Lisa Bates, Scott Hays, Amy Barnes, Bobby Mintz, Jeff Walls, Will Wagnon, Travis Barnes, Wes Neyman and Dana Austin. They will be led by coach Claude Hooper.

Feb. 21, the Miss Snowflake pageant will be at the Cherokee Arena. It is sponsored by the Spirit of Cherokee and held to raise money for the county Christmas parade.

On March 6, Sand Rock FFA and PACERS are sponsoring a bluegrass concert featuring Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver. Other musical acts include the Sand Rock FFA String Band, the Alabama State Champions, along with the Baileys, Bluegrass Boulevard and Foggy Hollow. On March 7, there is a fiddler's convention. Advance tickets are $15 for both days.

On March 14, the Red Cross will have its annual Souper Supper, a fundraiser with a silent auction put on by American Auctioneers. Some of the items up for bidding include trips to Disney World in Orlando, Fla., Chattanooga, and other vacation packages; a big screen TV; work from local artists, and many other items.

The WEIS-AM annual gospel concert will be March 20. Spring Garden will have its junior-senior prom at the arena on March 21, and Cherokee County High School will hold its prom there the following weekend, March 28.

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the Home & Garden Show, which will have booths set up by local businesses and civic groups.

A fund raising concert featuring country music star Mark Chestnut, originally scheduled for last December, will be April 18.

Centre Middle School will have its athletic banquet in the arena on April 28, and on April 30 the Boy Scouts will host a dinner fundraiser featuring guest speaker Gene Stallings, former head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Events recently held at the Cherokee Arena include a reality fair, held Feb. 13 and sponsored by the Cherokee County Board of Education. At the fair, high school students went to different booths to help them learn more about being an adult and the challenges they may face after high school. On Feb. 14 there was a Valentines Day banquet.

Any event connected to the local education system can use the Cherokee Arena at no cost. There are fees for clean-up and security, if needed, Hulgan said.

Non-profit groups get a discount rate. Anyone interested in using the facility may contact the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce at 927-8455.