The Richmond Hill City Center had its grand opening Wednesday. Local officials were on hand to cut the ribbon prior to the public being invited to get the first inside the 29,000 square foot, $6.2 million facility located at the back of J.F. Gregory Park.

John Wilderman, CEO of the Wilderman Group – the company contracted to manage the Center, said Wednesday was a "soft opening," in that the Center is not yet ready to be fully functional. He anticipates it to be up and running by mid March, but events can now be booked for future dates by calling 445-0043.

The City Center is designed to host a variety of event types and sizes. The ballroom, which will serve as the main meeting room, consists of 3,370 square feet of space with a capacity of 495 guests for receptions and 240 for banquets. The room can be divided to create six configurations for meetings or social occasions. The meeting rooms have direct access onto a wrap-around covered verandah that overlooks the coastal marshlands and nature trails.

The second floor has two additional meeting rooms. In total, the Richmond Hill City Center will feature eight different meeting rooms. The office for the Richmond Hill Convention and Visitors Bureau will be inside the Center as well.

"It’ll handle weddings, receptions, family reunions, Chamber of Commerce dinners, banquets, large community events, corporate business meetings – you name it," said Kirby Glaze, project consultant.

The Center is being paid for by three sources of funds: hotel/motel taxes, SPLOST funds and by future operating revenue.

-Read more in the Bryan County News.