Jemison Mayor Eddie Reed has said he thinks the auditorium is perhaps the aspect of the city’s new Municipal Complex that would be of greatest benefit to residents of the city.

And the residents seem to agree.

Interest in the auditorium has been so great that officials have had to put someone in charge of handling reservations.

“The phones have been ringing off the hook,” said Karen McMinn, the city’s contact for auditorium usage. We’ve got three [events] scheduled for 2011 already.

“It’s going to go over really, really well.”

The auditorium is a venue the likes of which the city has not had in the past, and the site is suitable for banquets, parties, reunions, receptions and other events.

The city can offer seating for about 300, though the auditorium could accommodate more seats. There are 32 round tables, which seat eight people each, available for use.

The auditorium has a stage, a sound system and two projection video screens.

The cost to rent the space for an evening is $300. $50 extra is charged if the sound system will be used. The city will even provide someone to operate the sound system, for $20 an hour with a two-hour minimum.

Use of the kitchen costs $50, and, in some instances, a police officer would be required to be present to provide security, at a rate of $20 per hour.

A $150 deposit is required to hold a specific date, and the remaining balance is due 10 days before the date of the event.

Officials would have to be notified of a cancellation five days prior to the event, and $50 of the deposit is non-refundable.

Other guidelines must be agreed upon to rent the auditorium. For a list or any other information about renting the space, call McMinn at the Municipal Complex at 688-4492.

“We want to see them come and enjoy the facility because it’s for the people,” McMinn said.