Corbin Tourism’s pavilion expected to be completed in June

A proposal to build a pavilion to house the Whitley County Farmers Market on the Corbin Tourism lot on North Main Street will, hopefully, be completed in June.

Corbin Tourism Director Maggy Monhollen told the tourism commission Tuesday during its regular monthly meeting that the bids on the project, which has been in the works since 2020, are scheduled to be open at 12:30 p.m. Friday.

“I had a prebid meeting last week,” Monhollen said noting that there were about seven contractors that signed in for the meeting.

“I will ask the board to meet for recommendations next week,” Monhollen said.

Monhollen said that as part of the bid, tourism is requesting that construction begin by Feb. 1 with the goal to complete the project by June 1.

The prefabricated, U-shaped steel building will provide open space out in the front closest to north Main Street.

While the Whitley County Farmers Market, which currently holds a weekly event on Tuesday at NIBROC Park, would be the main beneficiaries, Monhollen said previously that the goal is to draw others, including the Cumberland Arts Collective, and even farmers markets from other parts of the area, such as Knox and possibly London-Laurel County.

It could also provide covered space for events, such as NIBROC, the Cumberland Valley Cruise-in, Moonbow Eggfest and other events.

Tourism budgeted $450,000 for the project.

Monhollen secured $200,000 in grant money.

“We also have a corporate sponsor,” Monhollen said noting Hometown Bank has committed $250,000 to the project.

In other business Tuesday:

• Monhollen announced that Corbin’s annual July 3 fireworks show would return to The Arena in 2022.

Monhollen said previously that the Corbin event is scheduled for July 3 to avoid competing with other area fireworks shows.

• Monhollen also updated the commission on the 2021 Christmas Village and Ice Skating Rink.

“We pulled the number to look at the effectiveness in drawing people downtown,” Monhollen said noting that while 595 people came to the skating rink over 11 days, 400 of those were on the night of the Corbin Christmas Parade.

“We may take a year off from doing the skating rink and look at doing something different,” Monhollen said noting that the company that provides the skating rink offers other things including a curling, “ice.”