The Battle Ground City Council voted unanimously Monday to rename the Battle Ground Community Center as the Battle Ground Event Center.
The decision, made during a Tuesday, Feb. 18 meeting, follows a recommendation from the city’s Parks and Community Engagement Advisory Board.
The name change comes as city officials seek to better reflect the facility’s primary use. Since its opening in 2008, the center has hosted a variety of events, including weddings, conferences and banquets. However, officials noted that the term “community center” can be misleading, as the venue is not open to the public at all times.
“The community center has been known by its current name … since 2008,” Deputy City Manager Robert Ferrier said. “Although the community center is in high demand, often hosting multiple events on a daily basis. It is something of a misrepresentation to call it a community center.”
Ferrier explained that when the facility is booked for private events, it is not accessible to the general public.
“For this reason, staff believes it more appropriate to rename the facility as the Battle Ground Event Center, which is a name consistent with its operation,” he said.
The Battle Ground Event Center consists of three rooms, each catering to different event needs.
Lewis River Hall is a 3,600-plus square foot lodge-style reception hall featuring a large stone fireplace. The space accommodates up to 300 guests indoors and an additional 75 guests in the covered outdoor area.
Moulton Falls Multi-Purpose Room is an 850-square-foot industrial-styled space with two floor-to-ceiling glass rollup doors overlooking Main Street and Fairgrounds Park. It can accommodate approximately 70 guests.
Woodin Creek Meeting Room is a 560-square-foot carpeted space equipped with wall-mounted whiteboards. It can be used as a single large meeting area or divided into two smaller rooms, ideal for groups of around 25 people.
The renaming process was conducted following Battle Ground Municipal Code Chapter 8.18.100, which outlines the procedure for naming or renaming parks and facilities. The Parks and Community Engagement Advisory Board considered the proposal during its Feb. 12 meeting and recommended approval.
“I will just say that a lot of this genesis is because of the work of getting the senior center, allowing our seniors free use of that and having that maybe more appropriately named now,” Battle Ground Mayor Troy McCoy said. “I think this is a great next iteration along that line.”
The council voted 6-0 in favor of the change.
The new name takes effect immediately, though city staff did not specify when signage and other materials will be updated to reflect the change.
