How might our community make the best use of available space in a high-quality building?
It’s an unusual question, but InConcert Sierra (ICS) had to answer it last year after purchasing a spacious building at a bargain price to create a concert hall for world-class music performances. Once designed, the concert hall occupied less than half of the building’s 42,000 square feet. ICS needed to decide what to do with the remaining space.
ICS reached out to many others in the community—nonprofits, the city and county, and businesses—to find the answer. The consensus was overwhelming: this community needs a large, flexible space for conferences, conventions and emergency events where catered meals can be easily available.
Gil Mathew, Executive Director of the Nevada County Economic Resource Council, said: “The need for larger conference and event space in the county has long been with us.”
County Chief Executive Alison Lehman elaborated: “There is a pressing need for more expansive conference venues in our region to host important events that keep spending local, spur growth in small businesses and generate more local employment opportunities.”
Craig Griesbach, Nevada County Director of Emergency Services, provided an additional perspective about the building’s importance: “It also has potential to support the community during emergency events. There are opportunities to leverage this facility as a resiliency center that offers a unique resource not only during an emergency but also to help the community recover.”
The Yosemite Conference Center–a name chosen by a generous donor–is well under construction. With 4400 square feet, it will comfortably seat 300 people at banquet tables and more for assembly seating. Additional spaces will be available for conference breakout sessions and smaller meetings.
The conference center will be one of three distinct venue spaces in the Crown Point Events Complex. Located at 125 Crown Point Court in Grass Valley, the building will also house a purpose-built acoustic concert hall seating 540 people and a multi-use “black box” theater seating up to 150 people. There will be a spacious kitchen area for catered meals, and on-site parking for over 200 cars!
Many local nonprofits are excited about having this space for events of all kinds. Sandra Barrington, Executive Director of Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation says: “We are grateful that InConcert engaged us in the planning. Fundraising and educational events are an important part of what we do. Having access to a multi-functional venue will be great. From large-scale gala events to wellness programs and educational talks, there are many ways that we can be a part of the events complex.”
Construction of the complex is well underway, focusing now on spaces where the roof will be raised to accommodate the needs for theater productions and natural acoustic sound. ICS is still actively seeking community financial support to complete construction. The building will open for public use late this year.
Many groups are anxious to begin using the facility for their various events. Mary Anne Davis, Marketing and Events Manager for Hospice of the Foothills, says: “It will be wonderful to have an event space that can seat 300 people for the larger galas and fundraisers with plenty of parking! I also love how the tables and chairs will be there to use, and separate rentals won’t be necessary. I am very excited to be able to have our events there in 2025!”
ICS invites the community to see the space as it comes into being! Walk-through visits are being scheduled on weekends to avoid construction activities, and everyone is invited to sign up to personally see how this much-anticipated community asset is taking shape. To reserve your space contact InConcert Sierra at 530-273-3990 for a walk-through, or visit https://www.inconcertsierra.org/crown-point-project.