What Is a Multi-Use Venue?
A multi-use venue is any multi-use building that can be rented to host various kinds of community events. Multipurpose buildings can be used as:
- Space for community concerts
- Other performance venues
- Church service locations
- Wedding venues
- Party spaces
- Locations for town hall meetings
- Fundraising venues for charity events
Such facilities typically feature a stage, commercial-grade sound and lighting systems, a projector and screen, a kitchen, and space to seat an audience, all on a smaller scale than major city venues. Here are some of the ways multi-use venues or community center venues can be used in small communities.
Why Do Small Communities Need Multipurpose Venues?
In a small community, the population isn’t large enough to support convention centers or performing arts and concert venues, which stay in business by selling hundreds of tickets for daily or weekly events throughout the year. Nonetheless, small towns still need spaces for events and gatherings. Multi-use buildings can become a music venue on one day, host a church service on the next, and house a variety of other events throughout the week or month.
5 Benefits of Multi-Use Venues in Small Communities
Besides the ability to function in multiple ways, community center venues benefit small towns in the following ways:
- They’re less expensive. It’s far less expensive to build a multipurpose building or renovate a historic one than to build several new facilities. A single multi-use building also comes with fewer mortgage payments and lower rental, maintenance, equipment, and utility costs than multiple event centers.
- They bring the entire community together. Because of the variety of events that community center venues can facilitate, it’s likely that they will be used and valued by residents of all ages and demographics. This brings small communities together, allowing for more interaction and neighborliness among residents.
- They provide a more intimate experience. It’s often hard to see or hear performers well in a stadium because of their distance from the audience, crowd noise, and sound system imperfections. In a multipurpose venue, event attendees are closer to the stage, allowing for a better view and more intimate experience with fewer distractions.
- They support small businesses and local organizations. The proceeds from community center event ticket sales support local artists, charities, and other small organizations. Those that don’t profit, such as churches, still benefit from the ability to host local church services for a small rental fee rather than bearing the financial burdens of a permanent church property.
- They keep small communities economically and culturally vibrant. Multi-use buildings allow locals to enjoy social, religious, and entertainment events in their own towns rather than having to travel to major cities. They’re likely to spend money at nearby businesses in the process, boosting the local economy. Additionally, because successful performers often start their careers in small-town venues, local events can provide a glimpse into the future of arts and entertainment.
If you live in the Houston, Texas metro area, consider attending an event at or otherwise supporting Main Street Crossing. Main Street Crossing is a nonprofit multi-use venue for church services, concerts, and more located in nearby Tomball. Check out our event calendar and enjoy entertainment in support of good causes!
