ALLIANCE – When you walk in, it feels airy. The room is well-lit and modern.
A $100,000 makeover of the ballroom and ladies locker room at the Alliance Country Club has breathed new life into two areas that once were considered stale and outdated.
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Anna Strouble, director of marketing and membership, said the ballroom always offered a spacious place for events and receptions, but its former look deterred potential users.
Strouble said those seeking a bridal party site, in particular, weren't interested.
"No one ever really said anything directly," she said, "but I was definitely picking up on it."
The club, opened in 1911, has 291 members.
Strouble and general manager Troy Grove approached board members with a proposal to modernize the ballroom and the ladies locker room, which doubles as a bridal room, in early 2020.
Strouble said the club took advantage of the COVID restriction canceling indoor gatherings and used that time to make the upgrades. "It was a good opportunity," Grove said.
The ballroom features new tables, chairs, decor, lighting, flooring and chandeliers, and an upgraded terrace overlooks the 18-hole golf course.
The walls have been painted and feature stylish acoustic panels to mitigate noise after dreary wallpaper and carpet were removed.
"We got this project done and everybody was so happy with this," Grove said, "(The board) approved continuing to the ladies locker room."
The locker room received a similar treatment including new floors, lights and brighter walls.
"It looks nice," Strouble said.
Strouble said the new look, visible in photos posted to social media, have attracted attention she hopes will turn into rentals.
"We're kind of a hidden gem," she said.
Strouble said the club has "more open dates" available than most wedding venues. It also can host such gatherings as corporate events, golf outings and holiday parties.
Strouble said members can rent the facility for free. Non-members, with member sponsorship, can rent the space for a fee.
Call 330-823-1010, ext. 122, for more information on rental availability.
Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com. On Twitter: @bduerREP.