International Union of Operating Engineers to put its brand on Lakemoor banquet facility

A long-idled banquet facility on a prominent corner in Lakemoor is being renovated and revived.

The former Lakemoor banquet hall at Route 120 and Darrell Road is being rebranded as Countryside Banquets & Conference Center by its owner, Local 150 Building Corporation. That entity is a division of International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150, which built the facility about 30 years ago as union offices and a meeting place for its 1,000 or so members in Lake and McHenry counties.

Until about a year ago, Local 150 had used outside contractors to run the banquet facility, which occupies about half the building. Based in Countryside, the union on Wednesday hosted about 1,000 people at its main banquet facility there for the Judy Baar Topinka memorial service. Plans are to renovate and reopen the Lakemoor hall, then do the same in Joliet.

"We're definitely excited to get it up and running for the community," said Kathleen Dunne, banquet and conference facilities manager for the union. "We're looking to modernize all our banquet facilities and take it under management ourselves."

Some improvements have already occurred at the Lakemoor facility, with extensive interior work planned for January. That will include updating the audiovisual system, bathrooms, and bar area. Exterior upgrades have begun and improvements, including lighting and signage, are part of a $500,000 renovation package.

The banquet/conference hall occupies 9,021 square feet of the 20,918-square-foot, single-story commercial/office building on 6.47 acres. The facility will be able to host up to 800 people for a variety of uses, such as corporate events, business meetings, seminars, fundraisers, birthday/anniverary/retirement parties, memorials and trade and gun shows. Customers will be able to choose their own caterer or one provided by Local 150.

"There definitely is a market," Dunne said. The intent is to open in February, she added.

The Lakemoor village board this past week cleared the way by approving a conditional use permit to allow a convention and exhibit hall. Village officials approved the banquet use in 2002, and in 2008 extended it for another five years. That approval expired in April 2013.

Among the conditions of the latest five-year approval are: no outdoor events between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m.; parking at Heritage Park and neighborhood streets is prohibited; and, adequate security will be provided by the operator or exhibitor.

Village officials say the facility will give local residents a place to host various events and will promote local businesses through a preferred caterer/vendor list.

"This new business will make Lakemoor a destination location, as well as further reduce vacancy rates and strengthen the village's tax base." said Matt Dabrowski, the village's director of community and economic development.