Wicomico Civic Center to begin renovations this month
WICOMICO CO., Md. – The Wicomico Youth and Civic Center is getting ready for some major upgrades.
$9.8 million is being poured into the facility’s exterior improvement project which is expected to begin in January.
Steve Miller, Wicomico County Director of Recreation, Parks and Tourism, said it is the single biggest investment in the facility since it burned down 40 years ago.
“It’s really going to give a fresh look to the outside of the building. We’ve spent a lot of time and resources in the last five years on the inside, now this will be a major improvement on the outside,” said Miller.
Among some of the improvements, an expanded box office and lobby, food court and security barriers along the north and west sides of the building.
“What drove this from the beginning is the safety and security portion of this. We recognize that people gather here for graduation, concerts and there are no physical barriers that would prevent something like what you saw in New Orleans,” said Miller.
A $5.5 million federal grant is helping pay for the venue’s upgrades. The remaining $4.3 million will come from state and local funding.
“I think that as a county resident, you ought to be proud of. This is the gathering place for the county, this is the place where we vote and do all sorts of different things so to have this be a better, more attractive, more modern venue, I think is a good thing for everybody,” said Miller.
David Ryan, Salisbury Wicomico Economic Development Executive Director, said the improvements will make the venue more competitive.
“It keeps us in line with other communities trying to recruit tourism and visitors, operations. Tourism has about a $70 million economic impact, much of that happens within this facility,” said Ryan.
The venue will still be operational during the renovations. Miller said depending on where they are in the project, it could impact how you enter and exit the building.
The renovations are expected to take around a year to complete.
