The Huntsville City Council approved a $4.8 million kitchen modernization project for the Von Braun Center this week.

Redmond Construction Company was awarded the contract to do a complete renovation of the primary kitchen space and install new kitchen equipment including two walk-in coolers and one walk-in freezer.

Dry storage space, two unisex restrooms, a utility room, an electrical room, and corridors are included in the work.

City Administrator John Hamilton told the Council that the work is part of the continual improvement, modernization, and expansion of the VBC complex.

See story: Huntsville City Council approves $15 million upgrades to Von Braun Center – al.com

“One of the things that they really need for their existing facilities and also setting the conditions for some of those future expansions is a complete redo of their kitchen,” he said. “They are serving larger and larger groups. They are serving more and more groups simultaneously. It’s time to upgrade their kitchen where they can continue to conduct that business.”

City Councilwoman Jennie Robinson said $4.8 million may seem like a large expense “but there is a lot being invested into the VBC.”

“And people are seeing that like with the Saturn barn and other spaces,” she said. “This is one they are not going to see. But they will hopefully be impacted by it when they come to events.”

“Where they may not see it, they will taste it,” added Mayor Tommy Battle.

Hamilton said very event at the VBC that has food and beverage, which is in some way impacted by this kitchen.

“That is basically every event,” he said. “This is a very significant commercial kitchen. It involves lots of plumbing, lots of electricity and a lot of other pieces that it touches. There will be structural things as well. It’s not just buying equipment.”

The city recently went to the bond market to borrow $30 million to help with the renovation work at the VBC.