Owatonna ‘packs the patio’ at the Eagles
The new pergola at the Eagles Club in Owatonna was packed last Thursday night for the Pack the Patio party. Staff photo by Karen M. Jorgensen
Owatonna Eagles members wanted to Pack the Patio last week to celebrate the opening of the patio for the summer with the addition of a new pergola. They were not disappointed as the patio was packed with happy guests Thursday evening.
The patio itself wasn’t new, but the pergola was. Members wanted to make it something special and thought the pergola would make it stand out. Once the necessary funds had been raised, they contracted with Greenhaven Construction to do the work.
They started a week ago Monday and by Thursday it was ready for the party.
It actually took about three years of fundraising, including pancake breakfasts, to get it completed.
Everyone attending, both Eagles and non-Eagles, agreed it was a good addition to the space.
“We don’t have many patios in Owatonna,” said Mike Vetsch, as he enjoyed the evening.
“It’s wonderful, a nice addition,” said Lorna Staska as she and her husband, Tom, enjoyed the event.
Matt and John Simon, co-owners of Greenhaven Construction, said that business at the bar where Matt was pouring beer had “been pretty steady,” since it started.
In addition to the beer, brats and burgers were available for sale on the patio.
Dan Kubista said that he and Ted Millhouse were on the Eagles board and had been on the original patio committee.
He said they are planning for a busy summer and plan to keep a family friendly environment on the patio. It will be a “family friendly” bar during the early hours of the evening, he said.
Among the special events planned are car shows every Thursday evening through August. The proceeds from the car shows will go to the Cancer Telethon with the money staying local. The Shiflies, who played at Pack the Patio, will also be playing at the car shows.
The Eagles are about “people helping people,” he said.
“If you build it, they will come,” said Kubista. He added they purposely had it built on the east side of the building so it would not be so hot.
The Eagles board and members want the community to know they can come to events even if they are not members. There are some members only at events, he said, but for most events all are welcome.
Local events, he said, are to raise money that stays in the community. They try to raise money to support local needs, he said.
The patio is about 60 x 24 ft., she said, and when the money for the pergola was obtained Greenhaven Construction was hired to do the work to add it. The patio, Eagle Manager Danielle Wilson said earlier, can accommodate 150 people without tables and 75 with tables.
