About the Civic Center
The Robert Cherry Civic Center is located on a main thoroughfare of Paducah at 2701 Park Avenue next to Noble Park making it accessible for banquets, dances, trade shows, family and class reunions, and company meetings.
The building is dedicated to Robert C. Cherry who served three terms as mayor of Paducah: 1952-1955, 1960-1965, and 1968-1971.
Facility Amenities and Rental
Requests for facility reservations can be made in person at the Paducah Parks & Recreation Office located at the Robert Cherry Civic Center at 2701 Park Ave. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 pm.
For questions about reserving the Robert Cherry Civic Center, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 270-444-8508 or by email. The facility can be rented on a daily basis or partial days (Monday - Thursday only). Free wireless internet access is available in the building. Parks and Recreation staff will put up a marquee and set up tables and chairs for your event. A podium and a sound system are available. The facility offers a lobby, restrooms, a catering kitchen, and large open meeting space that can seat up to 256 people depending upon the table configuration. The building is accessible with a ramp in the front and designated accessible parking spaces.
- Entire Building Square Footage - 9,377
- The Robert Cherry Civic Center has roughly 7000 sq feet of banquet space, which includes a catering kitchen, banquet space, restrooms, lobby vestibule, and equipment storage.
- Meeting Space Capacity: Up to 256 people (with tables & chairs)
- Available for Rental: Year around
- Reservation fees: $500 - $1,500 per day (see below)
- A 50 percent deposit is due at the time of reservation.
- A $500 refundable damage deposit is due at the time of reservation.
Reservation Fees
| Partial Day Rental (up to 5 hours, only available Monday-Thursday) | $500.00 |
| Full Day Rental (Monday - Thursday) | $750.00 |
| Full Day Rental (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday) | $1200.00 |
| Full Day Rental on Holiday | $1500.00 |
| 2nd or more Consecutive Day(s) | $500.00/day |
| Non-Profit Organization Located within Paducah City Limits (Schools & School Groups, Religious Organizations, State Government Entities, and County Government Departments) | 20% Discount |
| Individuals representing self or family for a family event (Individual must reside within Paducah City Limits) | Eligible for Discount |
Renter's Agreement
- Since new policies and procedures are in effect, all rental requests should be made in person at this time.
- Renters are required to complete the application agreement and provide a 50% down payment at the time of reservation.
- Renters are responsible for securing their vendors which may include event planners, decorating services, sound, light, a/v productions, caterers, etc.
- Parks and Recreation staff will be scheduled for each event.
Rental Agreement for Robert Cherry Civic Center
Conference Room Reservations
- Reservations for the Robert Cherry Civic Center's conference room can be made by calling the Parks and Recreation Office at 270-444-8508.
- Conference room is available for reservations during normal operating hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) at no cost. Requests for reservations that occur outside of normal operating hours may incur a reservation fee.
- The Conference room comfortably seats up to 10 people.
Preferred Caterer Application
Applications for Caterers are being accepted.
- Registration fees for Caterers will be assessed at the following rates:
- $250/year
- $500/year for caterers who choose to serve and/or sell alcohol at catered events in the Civic Center
- Must provide general liability insurance naming the City as additional insured.
- Must provide copies of all licenses and permits required to operate business in the City and State.
- Caterer will be included in our preferred caterers list for renters; however, contracts for catering services will be between the renter and the caterer.
Hiring an Off-Duty Police Officer
Off-duty Paducah Police officers may be hired by the public to perform security and traffic control services. Officers are often hired to provide security and traffic control at large and small events, traffic control for road construction or other projects in the roadway, security for meetings, and many other situations including weddings, graduations, birthday parties, jewelry store security, and sporting events.
Hiring an Off-Duty Police Officer
Civic Center Sample Floorplan Options
| Full Capacity: 32 Rectangular Tables with 256 Chairs | |
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| 10 Round Tables & 80 Chairs | |
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| Presentation: 32 Rectangular Tables and 64 Chairs | |
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Civic Center Ribbon Cutting - February 26, 2024
The City of Paducah celebrated the reopening of the Robert Cherry Civic Center with a ribbon cutting ceremony on February 26, 2024. The facility offers a lobby, restrooms, a catering kitchen, and large open meeting space that can seat up to 256 people depending upon the table configuration. The building is accessible with designated accessible parking spaces.
The Robert Cherry Civic Center closed to the public in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since that time, the City completed a feasibility study on the building, met with stakeholders to gather input on community civic center needs, and worked to redesign the building. The collision of a truck into the building in September 2022 caused the construction documents to be reworked to account for the structural damage. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding received by the City of Paducah is covering a majority of the renovation costs.
Robert Cherry Civic Center Renovation Project
Jaycee Civic Center | Robert Cherry Civic Center History
- August 8, 1958 – Construction begins with felling of trees.
- August 23, 1958 – Groundbreaking for project.
- April 19, 1959 – Open House and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Jaycee Civic Center.
- March 25, 1975 – City of Paducah approved the purchase of the Jaycee Civic Center for $41,535.00 from Paducah Junior Chamber of Commerce Building Corporation. In 1975, city proceeded to replace the roof and buy new tables and chairs.
- May 1993 – City Commission votes to rename Jaycee Civic Center the Robert Cherry Civic Center with a dedication ceremony on June 1, 1993.
- 1994 – Construction begins for Robert Cherry Civic Center renovation project.
- 2020 - Robert Cherry Civic Center closes due to COVID-19 pandemic.
- February 26, 2024 - Ribbon Cutting ceremony for Robert Cherry Civic Center renovation project.
