| MADISON, Wis.
(February 13, 2006) - There are big changes on the horizon for Wisconsin's
line-up of meeting and convention facilities. Million dollar expansions and
sparkling new meeting facilities complete with waterparks, golf and lakefront
recreation are booming across the state. Here is a round up of everything that's
new, expanding and undergoing a total makeover in the upcoming year. With many
more amenities and square feet of meeting space, planners will find plenty to
choose from for any size business meeting or convention.
Big things are happening at Chula Vista Resort (1-800-388-4782; www.chulavistaresort.com) in
Wisconsin Dells as they undergo a $200 million expansion. A 25,500 square-foot
expansion that includes two new upscale ballrooms will open this summer pushing
the resorts flexible meeting space up to 80,000 square feet. Featuring views of
the scenic Upper Dells bluffs along the Wisconsin River, the expanded area
allows Chula Vista to host groups of up to 2,000. Planners will definitely want
to note that Chula Vista will break ground on a new 200,000 square-foot Expo
Center expected to be complete in June 2007. Phase I of the expansion also
features a new 80,000 square-foot indoor waterpark, a new upscale steakhouse and
122 new condominiums bringing the resort's total room equivalencies to
600.
The Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort (1-800-867-9453; www.wildernessresort.com), another
Wisconsin Dells property, is also undergoing a massive expansion. The $150
million project, set to open in July 2006 offers a 224-unit condominium resort,
Glacier Canyon Lodge. Glacier Canyon boasts a 2500 square-foot banquet facility
with indoor seating for 500 people and additional outdoor seating for 200
people. The expansion also includes a revolutionary Foil Tec enclosed waterpark
and a new 18-hole championship golf course.
In Stevens Point, the $107 million Aquaplex and Centre Lakes
Development will emerge over the next two years with a 350-room hotel,
indoor water park, 75,000 square-foot convention center and three man-made lakes
designed to host major state, regional, national and international water skiing
events. Also in Stevens Point, Country Springs Hotel (1-800-247-6640; www.countryspringshotel.com) has
taken over the former Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Center and has embarked
on renovation plans that include upgrading the rooms, restaurant and improving
technology capabilities in the existing meeting space.
The first Country Springs Hotel (1-800-247-6640; www.countryspringshotel.com) top
open n Wisconsin debuted in Waukesha in 2005 with more than 40,000 square-feet
of meeting space and 20 conference rooms, including the 7,200 square-foot Grand
Ballroom. Guests at Country Springs are greeted with over 45,000 square feet of
waterpark activities. Meeting planners will appreciate the beautiful outdoor
gazebo, perfect for weddings, special events and assemblies.
Set in beautiful Elkhart Lake, The Osthoff Resort (1-800-376-3399; www.osthoff.com) now offers visitors 8,000
square feet of meeting space following a recent expansion. From ballrooms to
boardrooms, the facilities can accommodate groups of 10 to 300 persons. Guests
of the Osthoff can also enjoy the new Aspira Spa or one of 48 new Spa Suites for
a more private, relaxing experience. With the luxurious spa facilities and
lakefront recreation, everything needed to mix business with pleasure is easily
accessible on one property.
Plans to redevelop the four-star Lake Lawn Resort (800/338-5253; www.lakelawnresort.com) on Lake
Delavan will be a total transformational for this popular southeastern Wisconsin
lakefront resort. The $390 million addition features 150,000 square-feet of
meeting space plus 1,000 new rooms, a waterpark, spa, 165-slip marina,
redesigned golf course and five new restaurants round out the leisure
amenities.
The 16-community Fox Cities area is one of the fastest growing regions in the
state. Greeting this surge in growth, the Bridgewood Resort Hotel
(800/514-5206; www.bridgewoodresorthotel.com)
opened in 2005 with 17,000 square feet and capacity to seat 700 theater-style,
or 500 for a banquet. Other amenities include their onsite Asanté Spa, a newly
re-designed 9-hole golf course and an aquatic fun center.
Meeting planners should visit www.thinkwisconsin.com to search for
facilities, submit a request for proposal or to obtain more information about
Wisconsin destinations. For more information about travel in Wisconsin, the
public can visit travelwisconsin.com or call the
Wisconsin Department of Tourism's, live-operated toll-free number,
1-800-432-TRIP/8747. Travelers can also obtain guides and information at the
Wisconsin Welcome Centers, located in select state-border cities.
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