If you’ve lived in Michigan’s Great Southwest for any length of time at all, you have very likely attended some sort of function over the last 40 years at the Grand Upton Hall of the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center on the Napier Campus of Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor.
Well, your next visit there could prove to be a real eye-opener as, following four months of being closed for renovations, the Grand Upton Hall has officially re-opened this evening during a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house hosted in partnership with the Mendel Center and the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber.
While portions of the 14,400 square foot venue have been updated over the years, this is the first ever floor-to-ceiling makeover since it first opened 40 years ago in 1979. The $1.4-million investment in the Grand Upton Hall is in addition to the $2.3-million energy upgrade and modernization project still underway throughout the Mendel Center.
LMC President Trever Kubatzke says, “For 40 years, Grand Upton Hall has served as the focal point where our community has gathered to celebrate, learn, and conduct business. Making this investment ensures that businesses, organizations, and community members can continue to depend on this important community resource to advance the quality of life here in Southwest Michigan.”
Grand Upton Hall improvements including ceiling, wall and door finishes, carpet, room dividers for improved safety and sound-proofing, distributed high definition video systems and projectors, hearing assist systems, electrical systems and controls, HVAC improvements, and a newly poured concrete sidewalk entry to the building. Project oversight was handled by general contractors Miller-Davis of Kalamazoo.
Mike Nadolski is Executive Director of the Mendel Center. He noted why the updates are good for the region, saying, “The economic impact of Grand Upton Hall, and the Mendel Center as a whole, on our area is sizable. Each year, we welcome more than 100 events and 25,000 guests in Grand Upton Hall alone.” He adds, “The modernized look and functionality of the space will enhance every event held here. And, as the largest, multi-purpose indoor event space in the region, event planners will have more reasons to consider choosing Southwest Michigan for their events in our fresh, new look.”
During the ribbon-cutting ceremonies today, LMC recognized the important contributions of two major donors that directly supported Grand Upton Hall renovations.
Kubatzke says, “The support of the American Electric Power Foundation and the Frederick S. Upton Foundation has been crucial to making this project a reality. Their commitment to our community and the college will benefit tens of thousands of people every year well into the future.” He adds, “We thank them for helping to make the renovation a reality.”
The newly renovated Grand Upton Hall has already opened its doors to a College Night event hosted by LMC that attracted more than 500 high school students and their parents earlier this week, as well as a private business event for 450 people last weekend.
Nadolski says that news of the updates is already gaining attention with calls coming in from several new clients looking to book the venue.
Public and private events typically hosted in Grand Upton Hall include banquets, wedding receptions, trade shows, business meetings, lectures, concerts, fundraisers, holiday parties, class reunions, and family celebrations. LMC also uses the space for a variety of college events including commencement activities, student award ceremonies, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Community Breakfast, the Winner’s Circle Auction, and LMC Day activities for faculty and staff.
The hall is capable of handling such options as:
- Wedding receptions up to 600 guests…
- Banquet-style seating for up to 900 guests…
- Trade show exhibit booths for up to 75 vendors…
- Professional catering services with full bar service…
- Professional technical and event staff…
- Distributed HD video system and professional video recording…
- Free, ample parking…
- Wireless Internet access…
- Sound and lighting design & support…
- Video recording services…
- Steinway grand and baby grand pianos…
- Box office, ticketing and RSVP services…
- Many other amenities…
For information about hosting an event at the Mendel Center, contact Mark Sumney at 269-927-8609, or visit online at this link: http://www.TheMendelCenter.com
