The details below show the indepth work the Venue committee showing options for the next Reunion venue. Yoiu can pull up internet pictures of the various locations.

Please go to Facebook and vote on the choice you like the best.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rolan-Reunion/146880895403196

Paul Rolan Family President

The venue committee has searched every VFW, SPJST, American Legion, Apache Trails, Rockdale Fairgrounds and parks; essentially 35 different places. They went to Rockdale, Thorndale and Taylor to look at the venues that might foot the bill.

It seems that the VFW in Thorndale or Murphy Park are our best values, both with a lot of amenities for the adults and children. But, there are no RV hook ups at either place; but there is plenty of RV parking at the VFW. If we decide to go with a venue that has a swimming pool, we will have to move the event since the pools don’t open until early June.

The VFW in Thorndale (mile north of 79) is a nice air conditioned-hall, with a small kitchen, a serving bar and enough tables to seat 200. The cost is $200 for 16 hrs. with a $50 dep. and $75 cleanup fee or we clean. There is a large bbq pit available next door at Fireman’s Hall for $75 and we supply the wood. The hall is at the Fireman’s City Park with a swimming pool (open 1-5:30p), basketball court, nice kids’ playground, horseshoe court and lots of shade.  Only drawback is the nearest motels are in Rockdale or Taylor, abt. 10 miles, either way and RV parks in both. The City Park is where the annual BBQ cook-off is held; 100s of RVs/BBQ pits show up the 2nd weekend in June.

Salty Church next to Salty Cemetery inexpensive but has no amenities. We would also need to rent a port-a-potty since there is only one bathroom. There are also lots of grass burrs all over

Murphy Park in Taylor is open from 4:30 am to 11 pm. There is a split-level open air pavilion available, the lower level (200 cap.) is $130 for a resident or $160 for non, w/a $75 ref. deposit.  The upper level (larger) is $162.50 for resident or is $187.50 for non w/a $100 ref. deposit. A bbq pit is available upon request. The park has a large (bank only) fishing lake, miles of trails, tennis courts, sand volleyball, swimming pool, basketball courts, playground areas. The draw back here is there is no air conditioning in the pavilion. There are RV parks close by and several nice motels, in Taylor.

Fair Park in Rockdale, has nice RV hookups w/grills $25 and a pavilion, the cost is $100 for the restroom usage, we pay electric bill and $750 ref. security fee. There is also New Salem Hall to rent, inside the park, for $350 for 8 hrs., w $250 dep. and security (if alcohol is consumed). But, no playground for the kids, (there is a city owned skate park a few fields over). The draw back here is the $750 refundable security fee, that we would probably have to pay now, to reserve the park for next yr., no playground.

Apache Pass in Rockdale was reviewed. It has a river but no swimming is allowed. Limited availability in July and August. $2 per person, RV $23-30, tent $10 open air pavilion