NEW LONDON—A $7.8 million project to build a hotel, event center, restaurant, bar and pro shop on the grounds of the Little Crow Country Club is nearing completion.

The project began last fall with the demolition of an existing facility that housed a bar, restaurant and pro shop at the golf course, located near New London.

Hampered by inclement weather that delayed the initial expected completion date of mid-May, segments of the project are now done and open to the public and the rest—including a 51-room GrandStay Hotel—should be done by the end of the month.

“It’s amazing so far,” said Karen Oie, president of the Little Crow Country Club board of directors. “We’re super excited.”

Marketed under the umbrella name of Little Crow Resort, the development includes an 80-seat restaurant/bar called Little Crow Tavern & Grille, a 300-seat event center and a pro shop that opened in mid-June.

Jake Cleveland, food and beverage manager, said as word has gotten out, the restaurant has been filling up.

“It’s really starting to pick up these last couple weeks,” he said. “It’s good to see.”

He described the food as “crafty American style” with burgers, sandwiches and a popular walleye that “hits home on the comfort” level. “I’m very proud of the food we keep putting out,” Cleveland said.

A patio with seating for about 100 people is still under construction and will provide a western view overlooking the golf course.

There’s been one wedding so far at the event center and more large events are scheduled for the large space, said Amy Johnson, sales and event manager.

Construction of the GrandStay hotel, which is connected to the rest of the facilities, is progressing and could be done by the end of July with the first guest scheduled for early August, she said.

The vision of having a hotel, bar, restaurant and pro shop all packaged together on the 27-hole golf course is to create a location for weddings, corporate retreats, class reunions and birthday parties for people to “use all of those services we provide,” Johnson said.

“We’re really excited to be here and it’s a great opportunity for the community to use the facility they’ve used before — but now it’s better,” Johnson said. “We’ve had some really great responses.”

Because there is still construction equipment on the grounds, people may not be aware that some parts of the project are already open.

That confusion should disappear “once we tie the bow on the hotel,” Johnson said.

Oie said the golf course, pro shop, restaurant and bar are under the control of the Little Crow Country Club. The hotel and event center are owned and operated by a separate entity, she said.

An update on the project will be given to club members during their annual membership meeting July 25. That meeting is closed to the public.

Even though the golf course was ripped up and there were no pro shop or dining facilities during some of the golfing season, Oie said membership in the club has remained “solid” and green fees from non-members are “on the rise.”

She predicts it will only get better once the hotel opens up.

A grand opening for the entire project will be held in mid-August, although a firm date has not yet been set.

West Central Tribune by Carolyn Lange