SML Regional Chamber Makes $50,000 Leadership Investment in SML Center
MONETA, Va. — The Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce has pledged $50,000 in support of The Smith Mountain Lake Center initiative, marking a significant investment from the regional business community in the effort to establish a multi-purpose community center at the current Westlake Cinema location at Westlake Towne Center.
Approved by the Chamber’s Board of Directors, the pledge places the organization among the initiative’s major supporters and reflects growing confidence in a bold vision for the future of the Smith Mountain Lake region.
“The Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber is proud to support this initiative as an investment in our region’s future,” said Andy Bruns, executive director of the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce. “An active, multi-purpose community center will create new educational, cultural and artistic opportunities while serving as a welcoming gathering place for residents and visitors. We believe this initiative will become a lasting community asset that strengthens our quality of life and supports local businesses. We hope many businesses and individuals will join us in helping turn this long-held community vision into a lasting reality.”
For former Chamber Executive Director Vicki Gardner, the initiative also holds special personal significance. Following the tragic shooting at Bridgewater Plaza in 2015, the vision of creating a community gathering place became an important source of inspiration during her recovery, and that vision has remained a driving force behind her ongoing commitment to the Smith Mountain Lake community.
The Smith Mountain Lake Center initiative seeks to acquire Westlake Cinema and transform it into a community gathering place that supports learning, live performances, meetings and other events that enrich life throughout the Smith Mountain Lake region. Plans call for preserving film programming as a core component of the facility while expanding opportunities for community use over time.
“The Chamber’s support represents far more than a financial contribution,” said Jack Phillips, president of The Smith Mountain Lake Center. “It is a powerful endorsement from the region’s leading business organization. And it’s a strong vote of confidence in a vision that many people throughout our community have supported for years. We are deeply grateful to the Chamber’s leadership and Board of Directors for their partnership and belief in what this initiative can accomplish. Their commitment moves us one step closer to creating a lasting community asset while continuing to preserve the movie-going experience at Westlake Cinema.”
Since announcing its plans last spring, The Smith Mountain Lake Center has generated community enthusiasm through special events and live performances at Westlake Cinema that included sold-out performances of both The Addams Family and Bonnie & Clyde musicals and strong attendance at Vicki Gardner’s book signing and community discussion. These early successes have demonstrated both the community’s desire for expanded cultural and educational opportunities and the viability of the Westlake Cinema building as a community gathering place.
The organization is currently working to secure the commitments necessary to complete the acquisition of Westlake Cinema and begin the next phase of planning for the facility’s future. Individuals, businesses and organizations interested in learning more about the initiative or supporting the effort are encouraged to visit SMLCenter.org.
About The Smith Mountain Lake Center
The Smith Mountain Lake Center is a nonprofit organization working to establish a multi-purpose community center at Westlake Cinema in Moneta, Virginia. The Center’s vision includes educational programming, arts and cultural events, community gatherings, live performances and continued movie programming that will serve residents and visitors throughout the Smith Mountain Lake region.