Smith Mountain Lake Center Inc. announced its interest in the building last week with a comment by Vicki Gardner published in The Roanoke Times. In it, Gardner said the building was “an ideal venue in a superb location at an affordable price”.

Interest in creating a community center at Smith Mountain Lake dates back more than a decade. Plans began to take more definite shape in 2015 with the formation of Smith Mountain Lake Center Inc.

The organization was formed following the 2015 shootings at Bridgwater Plaza in Moneta that claimed the lives of WDBJ journalists Adam Ward and Alison Parker and seriously injured Vicki Gardner, then executive director of the Regional Chamber of Commerce of Smith Mountain Lake. After filming, there was a great offer of support for Gardner through donations. She asked that these donations instead go into a fund for the creation of a community center.

In the years since the founding of Smith Mountain Lake Center Inc., the organization has considered multiple locations for the community center, but last week’s announcement is the first time the organization has presented its plans to the public. In Gardner’s comment last week, she said quick action needed to be taken to purchase the building.

The Grand Home Furnishings building is located in Westlake, a longtime commercial hub for the lake community. Originally built in 2008, the building sat vacant for several years and is currently up for sale.

Smith Mountain Lake Center Inc. is trying to raise over $2 million to purchase and renovate the building. The organization encourages the community to visit its website at smlcenter.org to get involved in the effort to build a community center or to donate to the cause.

The former Grand Home Furnishings Outlet is located on 4.5 acres with 70 parking spaces and has over 40,000 square feet of interior space. In last week’s commentary, Gardner said the building could provide a long-needed community center.

“Over the years, the Smith Mountain Lake community, businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations have been frustrated with the lack of a covered venue that can accommodate over 200 people,” Gardner wrote. “We creaked, depending on the generosity of our churches, YMCAs and a handful of other places, to lend space for events.

“The SML community is in dire need of a venue that can host trade shows, fundraising events, graduations, concerts, plays, and social gatherings, as well as provide meeting space for clubs and businesses, workforce development training, higher education, lifelong learning courses, health and wellness projects, youth activities and even more.

Ronnie Thompson, chairman of the Franklin County Board of Supervisors, said he supports any new business or facility that is an improvement for the county. While he hasn’t yet seen the full details of Smith Mountain Lake Center Inc.’s plan for the Grand Building, he said it could be positive for the county.

“I’m all for growth,” Thompson said.

Just across from Smith Mountain Lake in Bedford County, District 2 Representative Edgar Tuck also supported the proposal. He said the location of the proposed community center could benefit both sides of the lake.

Tuck said the proposal to renovate the old Grand Building would likely be a much more cost-effective plan than building a center from scratch. “I think that makes sense,” he said.

The Smith Mountain Lake Center conducted a survey in 2018 to gauge public interest in a community center. Of the 700 survey participants, over 70% agreed or strongly agreed that a venue for community meetings, entertainment, activities and programs was needed. Almost 65% agreed or strongly agreed that there was unmet demand for these types of places.

The survey also estimated that potential first-year economic activity for Bedford and Franklin counties could be between $47.5 million and $58 million. State and local taxes generated could also be between $3.3 million and $4.1 million.

Andrew Bruns, executive director of the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce, said he would like the old Grand building to be used for something. He said it was a bad look for the community with the Grand Building and the Sunken City Brewery Building directly across the street empty and unused.

“I would love to see something, whatever it is,” Bruns said.