Ben Robertson Community Center Rentals

Whether you're planning a business meeting for two-hundred guests or a small event with a few relatives, the City of Kennesaw invites you to experience the value, convenience and simplistic style of the Ben Robertson Community Center.

Interior accommodations include a 1,687-square-foot pre-function lobby area, a 3,952-square-foot banquet hall, and two 840-square-foot meeting rooms that can be joined to form a large meeting room. There is ample parking, and the entrance features a porte-cochere with interior vestibule to provide shelter for arriving guests.

The banquet hall can accommodate theater-style seating for more than 250, and banquet-style seating for approximately 200. More intimate settings are available for smaller groups in the meeting rooms. The banquet hall features an optional wood parquet dance floor (up to 2,000 square feet); and a professional theater with a 16' x 20' stage. In the rear of the banquet hall, a catering kitchen comes equipped with a microwave, ice machine, oven/stove, refrigerator, sink and counter space.

All meeting rooms are carpeted, handicapped accessible, and have central air conditioning and heating. The Ben Robertson Community Center also offers free high-speed wireless Internet access. A TV/DVD/VCR player, podium/lectern, and portable tripod projector screen are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The Ben Robertson Community Center is conveniently located just minutes from I-75 near the intersection of Cobb Parkway/US-41 and Watts Drive (near the entrance to Adams Park). Nearby attractions include the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History (a member of the prestigious Smithsonian Affiliations Program), Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park and Town Center Mall. There are over a dozen lodging options within a two-mile radius, and whether you prefer casual or elegant dining, endless choices of restaurants and eateries are within a short drive.

Rental rates start at only $17.50 per hour (City of Kennesaw resiednt) for a Small Meeting Room.

Contact Information / Mailing Address

Ben Robertson Community Center
2753 Watts Drive
Kennesaw, GA 30144
(770) 422-9714
Fax: (678) 460-3373

Directions

I-75 Northbound (from Marietta/Atlanta)
- Take Exit 271
- Turn left off ramp onto Chastain Road
- Drive 1 mile on Chastain Road (Chastain Road will turn into McCollum Parkway)
- Continue on McCollum Parkway 1-1/2 miles
- Turn right onto US-41/Cobb Parkway
- Drive 1/2 mile on US-41/Cobb Parkway
- Turn right onto Watts Drive (a BB&T Bank will be on your right)
- Turn left into the Ben Robertson Community Center (a car wash will be on your left)

I-75 Southbound (from Cartersville)
- Take Exit 271
- Turn right off ramp onto Chastain Road
- Drive 1 mile on Chastain Road (Chastain Road will turn into McCollum Parkway)
- Continue on McCollum Parkway 1-1/2 miles
- Turn right onto US-41/Cobb Parkway
- Drive 1/2 mile on US-41/Cobb Parkway
- Turn right onto Watts Drive (a BB&T Bank will be on your right)
- Turn left into the Ben Robertson Community Center (a car wash will be on your left)
 

How to view "real time" availability of facilities:

1. Click here to access our Online Registration site.

2. Click the "Reservations" link on the top of your screen.

3. Click the "View Facilities" button.

4. You will be presented with a simple list of facilities and dates to choose from. With a single mouse click, you can search for facilities at a particular location, by specific types of facilities such as "Small Meeting Room" or "Large Meeting Room", by amenities such as “Carpet" or "Catering Kitchen", or by any combination of these.

5. Click on the month (e.g., May) in the "Reserved Dates" column beside the facility that you are interested in checking availability. A month calendar view will display. A time block (e.g., 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) on a specific date indicates the facility is already reserved for that date/time.

For additional assistance, please call (770) 422-9714 during our regular office hours.

How to reserve a facility:

To reserve a facility, a Facility Rental Agreement must be completed, signed and returned to the Parks & Recreation Department. Click here to download a Facility Rental Agreement, which includes information on available facilities, amenities, rental fees and rental policy information.

Rental Policy Information (Revised 3/19/2008)

Facility Usage
Facilities may not be reserved more than one (1) year in advance. No facilities may be used for fundraising purposes without prior approval from the Parks & Recreation Director. Commercial solicitation and transactions are prohibited. Requests for periodic, regularly recurring use of facilities must be approved by the Parks & Recreation Director. When facilities are not in use for scheduled activities, and are available to the public for rent, then use of facilities is available on a first come, first serve basis.

Hours
Facilities may be rented Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday & Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Small Meeting Rooms may not be rented on Sunday. No facility may be used past 11:00 p.m. without prior approval from the Parks & Recreation Director. Please allow appropriate time for setup before the event and clean up after the event.

Rental Agreement
To reserve a facility, a Facility Rental Agreement must be completed, signed and returned to the Parks & Recreation Department. Click here to download a Facility Rental Agreement.

Rental Fees
All rental fees and a refundable security deposit are due at time of application. Applicant and guests may be subject to eviction, loss of security deposit and additional rental fees up to twice the rental rate if event exceeds Rental End Time. Applicant may also lose facility use privileges.

Security Deposit
All rental applicants must pay a security deposit. The deposit is refundable if, and only when, if the facility is left clean and there is no damage to furnishings or equipment. If damage occurs and the cost of the damage exceeds the amount of the deposit, the rental applicant will be billed for any additional expense. Damages could lead to losing facility use privileges. The decision of whether the deposit shall be refunded is solely up to the Parks & Recreation Department and will not be refunded until the facility has been inspected by City personnel.

Cleaning
The facility must be cleaned, all decorations and trash must be removed, and the facility must be vacated by the end time indicated on the Facility Rental Agreement. The rental applicant is responsible for removal of all personal articles, including leftover food, decorations, etc., and depositing trash in the dumpster behind the building (Banquet Hall only). All table tops, chairs, counter tops, and any appliances used must be wiped clean. Rental applicant is not required to sweep or mop, but may be asked to spot clean. If it becomes necessary for City personnel to do an extensive amount of cleaning, there will be a corresponding deduction from the security deposit, as determined by the Parks & Recreation Department.

Reservation Status
A rental reservation is considered binding after the Facility Rental Agreement has been signed by the rental applicant and approved by City personnel. Rental applicants may not advertise any event until this time.

Cancellation Policy
There will be a cancellation fee of $25.00 if facility rented and reserved is not cancelled at least 15 days prior to the event.

Floor Plan
To assure that setup needs are met in a timely manner, rental applicants are required to provide a detailed floor plan to the front desk personnel at least one (1) week prior to the rental. City personnel are responsible for setting up the necessary tables and chairs for the event according to the floor plan. Click here to download a blank Floor Plan worksheet.

Alcoholic Beverages
Alcohol may be served to persons over the age  of 21 under the terms and conditions consistent with the applicable laws of the State of Georgia as long as the rental applicant abides by the following rules: 1) A closed function event serving alcohol requires by law, with no exceptions, a permit from the City of Kennesaw. 2) An Alcohol Permit Application must be submitted at least 21 days in advance to be approved. City personnel will assist the rental applicant in obtaining this permit. The permit specifies the hours in which the closed function is permitted to occur, and must be posted in a conspicuous location during the event. 3) A written guest list must be provided to the front desk 48 hours before the function. 4) If alcohol is being served, a City of Kennesaw police officer must be present from the time guests begin arriving to the end of the event. City personnel will assist with the scheduling the police officer. The rental applicant is required to pay the police officer directly at the event at a rate of $30 per hour (cash only; holidays may be more). Questions may be addressed to Sgt. C.A. Bishop at (404) 557-7172. 5) The rental applicant will take responsibility for and hold the City of Kennesaw harmless from all liabilities arising from the serving and consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Caterers
Rental applicants may choose to employ an outside caterer for their event. Caterers are required to abide by all policies outlined in the Facility Rental Agreement. All food and beverages must be removed from the premises after the event. Waste food, ice and beverages may not be dumped onto soil or landscaping anywhere on the premises by guests or catering staff. Rental applicants and/or their caterers are required to provide their own tableware, linens, and service needs. No catering equipment, decor or other items may be left behind or stored on the property after an event unless prior arrangements have been made with the Parks & Recreation Director. The City of Kennesaw is not responsible for any lost or stolen equipment.

Parking
Ample parking is available in the Ben Robertson Community Center parking lot on a first come, first serve basis. Parking permits are not required. City personnel do not direct traffic/parking.

Handicapped Access
All rental facilities at the Ben Robertson Community Center are accessible by wheelchair. Handicapped parking is available in the front and sides of the building.

A/V Equipment
A TV/DVD/VCR player, podium/lectern, and portable tripod projector screen may be borrowed on a first come, first serve basis for use by rental applicants. It is advisable to have a technical expert in attendance at events utilizing borrowed A/V equipment.

Minors
Any rental with participants under the age of 18 is required to have at least one adult chaperon for every ten minors present during the event.

Personal Property
The City of Kennesaw is not responsible for any valuables or personal property left on the premises.

Facility Appearance
The City of Kennesaw cannot guarantee that the rented space will have the same appearance as when originally viewed.

Decorations
No decorations or temporary fixtures may be affixed to the building or any architectural feature with nails, tacks, staples, or any application that will cause irreversible damage. Tape is not permitted on any walls, glass or fixtures.

Confetti
Thrown rice, birdseed, glitter, and all types of confetti are prohibited inside the Ben Robertson Community Center.

Candles
All candles must be contained in a glass container taller than the top of the candle flame.

Smoking
Smoking is prohibited inside the Ben Robertson Community Center.

Animals
Animals are not permitted inside the Ben Robertson Community Center without prior approval of the Parks & Recreation Director.