Branson breaks ground for convention center

The excavation phase for the Branson Convention Center and Hilton Convention Center Hotel is complete. Construction will now start on the buildings’ utilities, and structural work will begin in three to four months, according to Branson public information director Jerry Adams.

Both buildings should be operational by late spring 2007.

Adams said the groundbreaking ceremony marked a milestone in Branson’s growth.

“Branson, for the past 30 years, has had the attractions already here,” Adams said. “We just didn’t have a convention center.”

Branson performers Petula Clark, the Lennon Sisters, the Haygoods and Les Brown provided entertainment at the groundbreaking.

The city will own the $56 million, 220,000-square-foot convention center, which is part of the $420 million Branson Landing project along 1.5 miles of Lake Taneycomo waterfront.

The convention center will accommodate 7,500 people with 15,000 square feet of meeting space, a 50,000-square-foot exhibition hall and a 23,000-square-foot ballroom.

The hotel, owned by HCW Development Co., will have 293 rooms and run 12 stories tall.