Noah Johnson | Daily Press Guests flocked to Island Resort & Casino for the open house of the new grand ballroom and golf club house. The event featured games, foods, raffle drawing and speakers. The new center will be christened with events surrounding the Island Resort Championship Epson Tour Event on June 20 through June 22.

Noah Johnson | Daily Press
The view from the new golf clubhouse at Island Resort & Casino. The new clubhouse features a bar, a golf shop, showers, a dryer and a view of hole nine and 18.

HARRIS — The Island Resort & Casino hosted media, tribal members, casino employees, and special guests on Friday for an open house at the new convention center.

Attendees got a look into the new grand ballroom and the new Sweetgrass Golf Shop overlooking course holes nine and 18.

The new center is 16,900 square feet with high ceilings.

The expansion is part of a $19 million investment that includes the new golf shop, with plans to build a new 9-hole golf course named the Cedar Course (Kishki) in 2026.

Director of golf at the resort, Nathan Rousseau, spoke about the barely two-week-old clubhouse, saying it was a beautiful build with various amenities.

“We really enjoy it. It’s a fantastic view. We have added a bar for our golfers. We’ve also moved our golf package booking department to the basement of this building, so they’re more involved with our golfers,” he said.

The clubhouse also features a golf shop, restrooms, showers, and a complimentary dryer for players when it rains.

“This has a lot more amenities for our golfers, a lot more amenities for our customers. And it gives them a very good view of our beautiful nine and 18 green,” Rousseau said.

During the open house, guests heard from the resort’s construction and leadership teams.

“The new facility is designed to better accommodate larger events, including business conventions,” said Tony Mancilla, Island Resort & Casino General Manager. “By offering expanded meeting space conveniently located between Lower Michigan and Northern Wisconsin, we will meet the increased demand from regional groups. Many of these groups are looking to have multiple-day events during the week. We are in the unique position to also provide hotel accommodations sufficient for these large conventions.”

According to a press release, the center has a modern design featuring a high-capacity kitchen and multiple event bars.

The center is suitable for a variety of events, including weddings, banquets, business conventions, and more.

Mancilla spoke about the new center’s specs and believes it will be the top convention center in the U.P.

“The old area, which is still our breakout area, seats about 480 full. This one will seat about 750 to 800 people; a little more if we can squeeze them in. So it’s much bigger, it’s got the high ceilings — a lot of things we can do with this. So we think it’s going to be the premier convention center here in the U.P. and all the way down to Green Bay. So it’s something we’re real proud of it,” he said.

Mancilla then introduced Hannahville Tribal Council Chairperson Kenneth Meshigaud, who thanked all who made the center possible and reminisced about what the area used to look like years ago.

“Way back when I was a teenager, this was a big open field,” he said.

Keith Nichols, President of Quintus 3D and architect for the project, spoke about working with the casino and the Hannahville community.

“I’ve been working in Indian country for 30 years,” Nichols said.

“In all the casinos, all the different tribal entities I’ve worked with, you guys are the top, you really are. And that’s a tribute to everybody here that works here, your tribal entity that governs the space, your leadership here. I’m really proud of all of you (and) giving me the honor and the opportunity to work with you and make these things happen.”

Mancilla invited Thomas Wahlstrom, project manager for Gundlach Champion, to speak about the building process.

Gundlach Champion previously did work for the resort, including the South Palm Tower addition and the smoking lounge.

“One of the biggest challenges these guys faced was getting this entire structure erected from October to late January. So very cold, very wet four months for them. But them pushing through that and really diving in for us is what kept us on track,” he said.

Wahlstrom also recognized several sub-contractors for their collaboration on the project.

Finally, the guests heard from Scott Herioux, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Hannahville Indian Community.

Herioux spoke about how the new space and emphasized his gratitude to the tribal council for pushing for more growth.

“I appreciate the growth that the tribal council has pushed for and the tribe has enjoyed. It comes on the backs of lots and lots of employees doing a lot of good things, comes on the backs of a lot of good decisions, and a lot of good leadership, but it also benefits everybody in the central region. And that’s really an important factor here,” he said.

During the open house, guests participated in games while enjoying live music and savoring a meal and refreshments.

To close out the event, raffle winners were announced.

Lucky winners received Drift Spa items, a Fire TV, golf apparel, an outside fountain, a grill and much more.

While the open house took place Friday, there is more fanfare to come as the newly expanded center will be christened with events surrounding the Island Resort Championship Epson Tour Event on June 20 through June 22.

Island Resort & Casino is located at W 399 US-2, in Harris.

For more information about the resort, visit www.islandresortandcasino.com.