A dedication ceremony is planned at 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, to name the Second Street Park community center for the late Kenneth Bates.
Bates, a former county magistrate and the host of a gospel music program on local radio stations for more than 40 years, died in February at age 71.
The local NAACP chapter asked city officials to name the building in memory of Bates, and Hopkinsville City Council approved the request, said Ward 1 Councilwoman Natasha Francis.
“A lot of people in our ward respected and loved him,” Francis told Hoptown Chronicle. “He was the go-to person anytime someone needed help. He helped connect people.”
Bates was the NAACP chapter president at the time of his death. He resided in Ward 1.
Second Street Park is located adjacent to the old Booker T. Washington School.
