The Hagadone Event Center - A Stunning New Venue on Lake Coeur d'Alene
On a bride’s most special day, she deserves something extraordinary.
And when the Hagadone Events Center is unveiled this July on the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene, extraordinary it will be, indeed.
In this splendid 11,000-square-foot facility, with its massive sliding glass doors, tall fireplaces, incredible lighting and sound systems, and gorgeous landscaping, nothing has been spared to make this the finest setting for a dream wedding – or any other very special event.
Duane Hagadone, who along with Jerry Jaeger founded Hagadone Hospitality and is the innovator behind The Coeur d’Alene Resort, The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course, and other world-class projects, has made this latest vision his personal mission – down to planning the last detail.
“This will be one of the finest wedding venues anywhere in the world,” Hagadone said. “Imagine the magic as the bridal party leaves their private dressing suites and goes in procession to the magnificent floating bridge in the center of a reflecting pool with an infinity edge. They will be surrounded by 20,000 multi-colored flowers and a background of beautiful Lake Coeur d’Alene.”
Construction has already begun on the project, sited on The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course and set to open the first of July. The south-facing location has panoramic views of Lake Coeur d’Alene, and is bordered by the exquisitely manicured golf course on one side, and a beautiful white stretch of beach on the other. An expansive 6,000 feet of outdoor tiled deck space will overlook the beach, landscaping and lake views, along with a gorgeous new swimming pool.
More than 200 feet of sliding glass walls will showcase those views to best advantage, pocketing smoothly out of sight when the occasion dictates. The year-round facility has air conditioning and heating throughout, along with four fireplaces. The facility has banquet space for 400 people indoors – or up to 600 people if the exterior decks are used. A hidden sound door allows two different events to occur simultaneously if the need arises.
The facility has separate bride’s and groom’s dressing suites with bathrooms, ensuring that the wedding parties can be completely private prior to the ceremony. Each has its own sound system with docking station so the bride and groom can each play their favorite music. The groom’s suite also has a flat screen TV – just in case a big game is on. When it’s time for the grand entrance, a private processional passage from each wedding suite leads the way to the outdoor venue.
The Hagadone Events Center also features some amazing technology, including 57 spotlights that can be trained on any subject at the touch of a finger. The indoor sound system alone includes 73 ceiling speakers. Outdoors, the sound system is artfully tucked into the landscaping, giving excellent acoustics throughout. Snow lights on the exteriors are designed to enhance Christmas parties and winter events.
“We’ve shown the designs to meeting planners around the country, and it’s really creating a major buzz,” said Bill Reagan, general manager of The Coeur d’Alene Resort. “This will allow us to bring new group business to Coeur d’Alene in a big way.”
Outdoor weddings, meetings and banquets will take place in a grassy area overlooking the lake, and surrounded by privacy berms planted with 20,000 multi-colored petunias intermingled with 5,000 junipers. This space can hold 500 people, and be expanded even further if necessary. The surface beneath the grass will be built in the same way as the golf greens, keeping the area dry and pristine at all times.
A 57-foot-long wedding stage and speaker’s rostrum will seemingly float in the middle of the reflecting pool. The stage can accommodate a wedding party of up to 20 people. It’s also designed for entertainers and speakers, with a custom-built podium available on demand.
Jason Jaeger, director of sales and marketing at The Resort, confirmed that the center is already booked for a number of events including golf tournaments, banquets, conferences and “some pretty spectacular weddings.”
One of the first events in the new facility is the prestigious Western Governor’s Conference, which Idaho Gov. Butch Otter is bringing to Coeur d’Alene.
A new swimming venue will include a 25x70 foot pool with a full-length infinity edge, sunning decks, men’s and women’s restrooms and a bar and snack area. Custom pavers and grass areas will surround the pool for sunning and relaxing. Fully furnished cabanas are available for rent, featuring flat-screen TVs, refrigerators and private sunning areas.
Near the pool will be a beautiful new stretch of private beach, which is for use of guests of The Coeur d’Alene Resort and The Coeur d’Alene Inn.
Also included in the scope of work is all-new dockage at the golf course, along with an expanded 240-car parking lot, new asphalt and curbs and lighted parking.
“The vision behind this project is incredible,” said Jerry Jaeger, president and co-owner of Hagadone Hospitality. “The Hagadone Events Center is anticipated to have the potential to pull us out of these rough economic times. When The Resort first opened in 1986, our economy was weak, and some have credited its opening to stimulating the region’s economy. We are optimistic that perhaps history will repeat itself.”