Jim Fair
The view from the Cannon Centre is spectacular looking out from the wraparound porch across the gazebo, pond and beyond.
Jim Fair
This is the view from the park's entrance on Cannon Street. It captures the Cannon Centre on the left, the pond and gazebo that gives it a country club appearance.
Steve Owens / City of Greer
The wrap around porch gives a picturesque view of City Park's gazebo. It has become a signature landmark that attracts special events.
Jim Fair
This is the front of the Cannon Centre. The building formerly was known as The McKown Center, Cannon Street Gymnasium and The Armory.
The renovation of the Horace McKown Center and name change keeps the history of the building and its location intact. The building fronts Cannon Street.
“We have found that a very large number of people still refer to the building as the Cannon Street Gym and associate the building with its location on Cannon Street. We researched the history of the building and found that the land for the original Armory and the surrounding park area was deeded from the Cannon family for which the street is named,” Driggers said.
Greer City Councilman Wayne Griffin reminisced about his youth days playing basketball in the Cannon Street Gymnasium when council toured the building last year. "I’m very happy with the Cannon Centre and I understand the history behind the name. For years it was the Cannon Street Gym, where we played ball. That makes it more appropriate," Griffin said.
Driggers said he has met with the McKown family to communicate the city’s plans and, “They have been very supportive.”
Horace McKown, Jr. will be recognized through a permanent marker on the site outlining the history of the building as well as all of its names over the years.
"It’s a building with a long history and is part of this community," Mayor Rick Danner said. "The name is respected, it has a sense of history and it identifies the current use."
With the Cannon Centre ahead of schedule and under budget, Danner said it became apparent the naming and branding of the venue needed to be addressed. "I didn’t give it much thought until it was relayed that its completion was rapidly approaching."
Cannon Centre seemed a natural Danner said. "We tossed some names out and this was one of them. We liked it so much because it just kind of stuck."
Griffin went a step further. "I like the spelling of Centre," Griffin said. "It makes it better for branding."
The Cannon Centre will feature a lobby, full-serviced kitchen, new and more windows, classrooms, coatroom, offices, storage and black box theatre with risers for Greer Cultural. The building offers 4,700-square feet for use.
The approximately $1.1 million investment of the Cannon Centre will complete the municipal complex. The renovation and roof was funded by the city’s Hampton Road Tax Increment Financing District. Block grants totaling $50,000 were secured from block grants from the Greenville County Redevelopment Authority.