Smith Mountain Lake Center: A “Grand Plan” is in the Works

Submitted by Vicki Gardner

Vicki Gardner served as Executive Director of the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce from 2002 to 2019. She is President of the Board of Directors for Smith Mountain Lake Center, Inc.

Contact: [email protected] or 540-529-7733

Smith Mountain Lake Center: A “Grand Plan” is in the works

Have you wondered whatever happened to the Smith Mountain Lake Center project?

If you have lived in this region for a decade or so, you know of what I speak. The proposed SML Center, which would be used for education, entertainment and events, has been in and out of the news for years. Everyone gets their hopes up, but nothing seems to happen.

That was then. … NOW we have an opportunity and an urgency to purchase an ideal venue in a superb location at an affordable price. But we must take swift action.

Over the years, the Smith Mountain Lake community, businesses, nonprofits and community organizations have been frustrated with the lack of an indoor venue that can accommodate more than 200 or so people. We have squeaked by, dependent upon the generosity of our churches, YMCAs and a handful of other venues, to lend space for events.

The SML community greatly needs a venue that can accommodate trade shows, fund-raising events, graduations, concerts, plays and social gatherings, as well as provide meeting space for clubs and businesses, workforce development training, higher education, lifelong learning classes, health and wellness projects, youth activities and so much more.

Well, folks, the opportunity of a lifetime is available and within our grasp. The Grand Home Furnishings building at Westlake Corner (on Booker T. Washington Highway across from Kroger) is for sale. It sits conveniently between Rocky Mount and Bedford, and is a close drive to and from Roanoke.

With approximately 40,000 square feet of finished space, this remarkable building is ready to be transformed into a hub of community activity. The asking price is $2.5 million, which the SML Center Board of Directors considers well within reach of fundraising goals.

It’s worth noting that the Center would likely cost more than double that to build from scratch and take in excess of five years to complete. Plus, we’re delighted by the idea of repurposing a building that is currently sitting vacant.

If this opportunity slips away because we can’t raise the funds, it’s unlikely we’d be able to construct a new facility anytime soon.

Purchasing the Grand Home Furnishings building would mean the SML Center could almost immediately start providing events and programming for the SML community while launching a capital campaign to raise the additional funds needed to renovate to accommodate future usage plans.

The SML Center is a non-profit organization overseen by a 12-member board of directors. These dedicated individuals from diverse professional backgrounds receive no compensation for their time and talents. They do it as a legacy of love for the benefit of our community now and 50 years from now.

If you care to see this plan come to fruition, we encourage you to contact us. Please visit SMLCenter.org for additional information and fill out our contact form with feedback on the potential acquisition and to ask any questions you may have.

Here are some easy ways you can help:

Let local organizations you’re involved with know about the proposed Center and see how they can help.
Volunteer! If you are a marketer, grant writer, event organizer, public speaker or would like to become active on a wide variety of committees, reach out to us at smlcenter.org/contact.
Make a pledge. Donations large and small are needed to help fund the purchase of The Grand Building.
Tell friends about the SML Center and encourage them to get involved.
Join us on Facebook at facebook.com/smithmountainlakecenter.

Let’s turn this much-needed dream into a reality!

For more information, visit smlcenter.org.

Vicki Gardner served as Executive Director of the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce from 2002 to 2019. She is President of the Board of Directors for Smith Mountain Lake Center, Inc.