Union High School's ' multi-purpose activity center' success

Sunday, January 16th 2005, 7:21 pm

By: News On 6

Everything from safe rooms to room to relax is on display at the Green Country Home and Garden show. And itâ€™s also a chance for the host Union Public Schools to show off it's crown jewel, the U-MAC.

Sheridan and Kelly O'Neal, Union District Residents: "Its a nice facility this is the first time we've been here but it looks like the money has been well-spent."

The $22-million Union Multipurpose Activity Center or U-MAC was paid for with bond dollars. After a year, taxpayers are starting to see a return on their investment, free events like this one for the public and some extra money for the schools.

Sarah McBryde, UMAC Marketing Coordinator: "then we have the opportunity such as this home and garden show to bring in some extra revenue for the district. And any revenue we bring in does go into the general revenue fund and does impact every classroom in the district."

Ashli Sims, The News on 6:"The UMAC has hosted about a dozen events like the Green Country Home and Garden Show and raised more than $150,000."

Sarah McBryde, UMAC Marketing Coordinator: "It goes beyond the revenue production, because we are kind of a community center. Union doesn't have a main street, so the UMAC has become a focal point for our community."
Sheridan and Kelly O'Neal, Union District Residents: "we don't have kids but we're still using the facility for something like this and thatâ€™s nice."

The U-MAC already has several repeat customers this is the green country home and garden shows second time in the facility. And organizers hope to keep the events coming.