Community Corner
Regent Community Open House to Feature Tours, Chat With Director
Built with nearly $7 million in taxpayer's money to provide the Greater Brandon area with a community center, The Regent has been plagued by criticism.
Dogged by criticism it’s not doing enough to open doors to the community it’s supposed to serve, The Regent is hosting the first of what organizers say will be a monthly open house Thursday.
The Regent, 6427 Watson Rd. in Riverview, will host a Casual Community Open House complete with facility tours, coffee and cookies from 9-10 a.m. Nov. 3. Similar open houses are planned for the first Thursday of every month.
Regent executive director Kristen Kerr and events coordinator Jennifer Fournier will be on hand to answer any questions.
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The Regent was constructed with nearly $7 million in tax money to provide the Greater Brandon area with a community center.
However, critics say the facility is more often used for weddings and private parties than for the community use for which it was intended.
Find out what's happening in Brandonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
In response, the Brandon Community Advantage Center Board of Directors, which operates The Regent's ballroom and downstairs meeting room, called the Community Room, announced a series of programs designed to increase community involvement.
"There are good things happening at The Regent, specifcally pertaining directly with community opportunities," said Kristen Kerr, executive director of The Regent.
In addition, The Regent will offer nonprofit groups a chance to rent the Community Room Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. for four hours for $150 if The Regent provides the setup.
The Regent also will host a program it calls "Teach your Talent." The Community Room will be made available for free the last Tuesday of the month from 5-6:30 p.m. to anyone who'd like to teach painting, dancing, music, cooking, chess or other activities.
Finally, starting in January, The Regent will host monthly art exhibits called "The First Reveal" in the Community Room. The exhibits will include an opening reception the first Wednesday of the month during which the public can tour the exhibit and meet the artist. Each exhibit will remain on display for 30 days and the public will have a chance to view it during normal business hours.
The Regent's website currently has a call for artists wishing to exhibit.
To sign up to participate in any of these events or for more information, contact Kerr at 813-571-2494 or kristen@experiencetheregent.com.
