By Jolene Farley
Construction is proceeding as planned on the Beaver Creek Entertainment Facility and Golf Course, according to investor Rod Scholten of Steen.
"We're right on schedule. The little bit of snow we had really didn't slow us down," Scholten said.
Limited liability corporation investors Rod Scholten, Mike Blank, Ben Davis, Leonard Scholten and Dan Van Otterloo are pleased with the progress on the project, according to Scholten.
Sewer and water work is done on the entertainment facility, and crews are ready to begin work on more complex projects such as a tower structure planned for the top of the building.
Crews are waiting on the arrival of the doors and windows for the structure.
"We slowed down through the holidays," said Scholten. "We got as far as we really wanted to this year."
Investors hope the entertainment facility will be completed in April and open in May.
They plan to hire a general manager in February who will assist in hiring employees for the banquet facility.
About 15 to 20 year-round full or part-time employees will be hired for the restaurant and about 10 to 15 year-round full- or part-time employees will be hired for the banquet facility, according to Scholten.
In addition to the entertainment facility, residential lots bordering the golf course are for sale for home construction.
"It's going very well," said Scholten. "We have been closing on lots the last few weeks."
Four lots are sold, with one more sale scheduled to close next week.
"We are hopeful we can get some work on the course done this spring, but it depends on the weather," said Scholten.
Course builder John Reardon, who has built courses for some northern Minnesota resorts, has been retained to shape the greens and tees and do the necessary adjustments on the fairways.
Reardon will seed the course with grass, and partner Mike Blank will be the course groundskeeper, according to Scholten.
Henning Construction, Adrian, has been hired for the dirt work on the course.
"It's not going to be the easiest course," said Scholten. "There are going to be some hazards people are going to have to play over."
He added the complexity of the course could be adjusted by moving pins and tees, but there will be water hazards everyone will have to work around.
Family memberships for the course are priced at $450 per year, single memberships are $350, and lifetime memberships are $4,000.
Anyone interested in more information on becoming members of the course or on use of the banquet facilities should contact Rod Scholten or Mike Blank.