What Did the City Council Name the Banquet Hall? The Winner Is ...

The renovated banquet hall at the Lemon Grove Senior Center has a new name now, too.

In a vote that provided a jovial end to the City Council’s official business Tuesday night, council members unanimously approved a title for the special events venue.

And the winner of a $50 gift certificate to Lido’s Italian Restaurant is … Lemon Blossom Hall. The identity of the person who was the first to suggest the name in a contest sponsored by the city will be revealed at the April 6 council meeting, and he or she will be presented with the prize.

The action provided a break from serious business, and an opportunity for two council members to enjoy common ground.

“Me and Mary England agree on something,” Councilman George Gastil said, beaming. “Wow!”

Laughing, England replied, “Please, put that in the paper!”

The council thought the name sounded festive, and that the image of lemon blossoms would be a pretty addition to marketing materials.

More than four dozen names were suggested in an online survey conducted by the city over a two-week period last month. In the first round, the public was invited to contribute names. In the second round, participants each got one chance to identify their three favorite choices.

Lemon Blossom Hall was in the top 10, along with two other names favored by council members: The Grove, and the Orchard Room.

The top pick in public balloting was the Lemon Grove Pavilion, a name the council decided wasn’t a good fit because the facility isn’t a pavilion. The 3,000-square-foot room comes equipped with a full kitchen, however, and enough space to seat 200 to 300 people, depending on table configuration.

The rental site boasts a bank of large French doors that open onto a spacious patio bordered by grassy areas and walkways, giving the facility the potential to be a charming venue for a variety of celebrations.

Giving the banquet hall an attractive name was one of the priorities made by the city council early this year. The city is working to increase its rental facility revenues and feedback from those planning celebrations such as a wedding reception or baby shower indicated the name was a big drawback. People just didn’t want to put “Lemon Grove Senior Center” on a party invitation.

Rental fees for Lemon Blossom Hall range from $800 to $1,030.

The city’s other rental facilities include the Community Center on School Lane, the H. Lee House and Courtyard at Civic Center Park, the recreation center gym, and gazebos located at the Berry Street and Lemon Grove parks.