Work has begun in preparation for the new event centre destined for the Humboldt Golf Course. The centre got the green light for a loan from the City of Humboldt and the hope is to have construction well underway this spring and the tent and permanent storage and washroom structure completed this summer, says Cory Schweitzer, General Manager of HGC.
The new structure will replace the tent that’s been used for summer events up to this point. The existing tent is 18 metres by 15 metres and is located just to the north of the club house. The new tent structure will be 18 by 40 metres, around 7800 total square feet, and affixed to a concrete platform. Just adjacent to the west side, a permanent structure will be erected that will serve a number of functions. The complex will be located to the south of the club house and parking lot, adjacent to the 10th hole tee box.
Work is already ongoing in preparing the site. “That structure will contain a storage facility, beverage facility including walk-in coolers, and washrooms,” explains Schweitzer. “Loading beer carts, for example, will happen out of there. We’ve pretty much outgrown the club house for that.”
The idea is to have a three season facility available from the beginning of May to a tarp take down in October. The tent facility will be available for major annual events such as the Conexus Humboldt Broncos Memorial Golf Tournament and the BBBS Diva for a Day Challenge. It would also be available for other community or private events, says Schweitzer.
“We recognized the need for a facility larger than Jubilee Hall, and I think all along, the idea here was to complement the existing facilities in Humboldt and not compete with them. I think the support from the city shows that they feel the same way.”
The Golf Club has been in discussions with the City for sometime about the project which could host dinner theatre events, dance recitals, larger public and private gatherings just to name a few. With Humboldt’s projected growth, Schweitzer sees the move as important to the well-being of the Golf Club itself.
“One of the things recognized in the planning was at some point as we move forward and start to outgrow the space we have, that this can kind of bridge that gap between some plans later to possibly expand the clubhouse. If we have this facility to take that pressure off for now, I think there’s certainly a need for that.”
The hope is that one of the first serious field tests for the new structure will come this summer with the Broncos Memorial Golf Tournament, the SJHL Hall of Fame Induction, and the much anticipated Hunter Brothers concert.
