John Lechlitner was pretty excited to have the Governor General David Johnston as a guest at the new Grande Event Centre, his new venue’s first major event, two weeks ago.
“It was a real honour to host that dinner. It’s not very often that you will have the opportunity to feed someone and host a dinner with someone of that kind of national significance that isn’t associated with politics,” he said.
More than 200 North Bayites enjoyed fine dining in the large banquet hall located on the corner of Main and Wyld in downtown North Bay.
Lechlitner opened the new facility recently which is in the old location of the Zoo Nightclub.
He says the change was part of the long term vision he and his senior management team had been planning for some time.
“It was all about the steps to get here,” said Lechlitner, who also operates Cecil’s Brewhouse and Kitchen next door to the new banquet hall.
“One of the biggest steps was to go ahead with the brewery because that changed our demographic focus of Cecil’s and cemented us as a unique destination, not just for food but because we brew our own beer,” he added.
“In conjunction with that, our catering division has been a source of growth and pride and we have known for some time that we needed a venue.”
The large room can be segmented by a divider. The large room can sit up to 290 people with comfortable seating around 260 for social and corporate style events.
Lechlitner hopes this new event centre is another step in revitalizing the downtown.
“We have more owners and landlords that are now investing in the downtown, more than just re-doing the facade and I think that’s the key to the future health of any city is a strong downtown, “ said Lechlitner noting his family has been involved in the downtown since the early 1970’s.
And the development isn’t over.
Lechlitner says he is working on a residential condominium development in the upper floors of the Grande Event Centre.
“That will take place over the next few years and that will involve a new entrance, some expanded parking, elevators, and we are going to be going after a very specific demographic,” he described.
“They will all be very nicely appointed units right downtown.”
