New events center coming to Clovis this year
A new events center is coming to Clovis after the City Council approved construction of The Falls Events Center north of Old Town Clovis
The 17,000-square-foot event center is similar to one that the Salt Lake City-based company operates in northwest Fresno. The company also has similar centers in Colorado, Utah and Arizona.
The events center will be on Clovis Avenue, just east of Highway 168. Overall, it will cover 2.27 acres.
“There is definitely a high demand there,” said Sam Ramirez, vice president of operations for the company.
The Falls will play host to large weddings, conferences and meetings.
Ramirez said he expects the Clovis site to be ready by the end of this year.
The Falls Events Center will be a few blocks north of the Veterans Memorial, a public facility that caters to large events.
Every weekend is booked and we’re locked in close to a year in advance. You will get an occasional cancellation, but there’s always someone right behind them to take the spot.
Lorenzo Rios
chief executive officer, Clovis Veterans Memorial DistrictLorenzo Rios, chief executive officer for the Veterans Memorial, said that facility is booked up and that having more options for the community is positive. He said large meeting space is required in Clovis because the Veterans Memorial can accommodate 1,000 chairs.
“Essentially, every weekend is booked and we’re locked in close to a year in advance,” Rios said. “You will get an occasional cancellation, but there’s always someone right behind them to take the spot.”
The Veterans Memorial District is a public agency. It offers discounts for veterans and generally lower rates than its competition, Rios said.
▪ In other action Monday night, the council supported a 90-day extension to a leave of absence for Councilman Harry Armstrong. Armstrong was suffering complications from a bout with pneumonia. The last City Council meeting he attended was in February.
City Manager Robert Woolley said Armstrong has returned home and may soon participate in council meetings through teleconferencing. Armstrong, 85, has been a Clovis City Council member since 1970.
Marc Benjamin: 559-441-6166, @beebenjamin
This story was originally published May 2, 2016 at 7:35 PM with the headline "New events center coming to Clovis this year."