Cultural Arts Center Manager Sandra Kimberl talks to members of the ARC during their luncheon in Roswell.

Roswell Hosts Atlanta Regional Commission Luncheon

The City of Roswell hosted the Atlanta Regional Commission Luncheon (ARC) recently, highlighting its commitment to Cultural Arts and its award-winning Recreation and Parks Department.

More than 30 representatives from cities in the Atlanta area listened to a presentation from Roswell’s Cultural Arts Center Manager, Sandra Kimberl.  Kimberl outlined the importance the Cultural Arts Center plays in our community.

“The Historic and Cultural Affairs Division of the City of Roswell serves as our own local arts agency to support cultural organizations, provide services to the arts community, and arts programming to our citizens,” Kimberl told the group.

The Cultural Arts Center will be in use 302 days this coming fiscal year which begins July 1.  Kimberl said the Center is a very popular facility for many non-profit organizations and many multi-cultural organizations that present performing arts programs.

This year alone the Center served 105,150 citizens and visitors, and volunteers donated more 10,000 hours.  With an operating budget of $760,688, Kimberl said the Cultural Arts Center has always been a priority for Roswell.

“I think the facts speak for themselves,” Kimberl said.  “The City of Roswell is a culturally rich community whose leadership understands the importance of the Arts.”

After the luncheon concluded, the group was taken on a tour of several City Parks.  They visited Grimes Bridge Park, home of the new Adult Recreation Center and Roswell Skate Park.

The group also toured the new Riverside Park that just opened in November 2002.   The park has been heavily used since its opening.  This summer it is home to the Roswell Concert Series, Riverside Sounds, and the Family Film Series sponsored by the City and Star 94.

City Administrator Rick Chaffin told the group that the City’s award-winning Recreation and Parks Department has always been a priority for Roswell over the years.

“You only have to look at our budget to see how important it is to our Mayor and Council and citizens,” Chaffin told the group.  “It is 17 percent of our proposed budget for next fiscal year and is surpassed only by the Police Department.”