Just over a year after the groundbreaking ceremony was held, the new 14.000 square foot facility was opened in October 2013! A grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Doniphan Area Event Center, unofficially dubbed “The Center for Community Unity.” was held for the public to tour and view the completed project. Terry Connick, President of the Doniphan Economic Development Corporation told those who attended, “I hope you like your Event Center."

DEDC member Greg Sinner said the community unity theme goes even beyond the construction of the building. “This is an area project,” Sinner said. “We hope that people from the surrounding area will also think of this center when planning their weddings, receptions, anniversaries and events.”

The DEDC was the driving force that made the Event Center a reality. Over the years, several community surveys were conducted which revealed that an event center was the overwhelming number 1 priority of the community, but finding a place for one was another story. Finally, in 2011, land became available just south of Pine Street. DEDC members voted unanimously to purchase the 3.1 acres of farmland from the Lautenschlager family. From that point on, DEDC members worked very hard and spend a lot of time and effort to get to this point.

The Event Center features a large foyer with two furnished lounge areas, one 832 square foot meeting room and one 642 square foot meeting room with a kitchenette. The meeting rooms feature a dividing wall allowing the rooms to be rented separately or together as one large room. The main banquet hall measures 6,866 square feet with a seating capacity of 400. Provided with the facility rental are 50 six foot round tables, 18 eight foot long tables and 400 chairs. The kitchen is equipped with three ovens, a commercial sized refrigerator, microwave and freezer. The Doniphan Senior Center and the Village Clerk’s Office are also located in the facility.

Kenn Frederick of Master Builder Associates was the architect on the project. Master Builders works with clients and companies within a multi-state radius, he said, and it was fun for the company to work on a project just down the street in Doniphan.

Since it opened, the facility has been host to numerous events such as: wedding receptions, community events, family reunions, birthday parties, showers, anniversaries, Christmas parties and banquets. The Event Center is also the new voting location and the new location for the Red Cross Bloodmobile.

For more information about the Event Center or rental information call 402-845-6609.