Munroe Falls plans expansion and renovation to Guise Park Lodge

Major improvements are planned for Munroe Falls’ Guise Park Lodge, including an outside patio, new restrooms and an extension.

The wooden-clad building, used for many community events and private functions, is set to get a new lease on life thanks to money that has been earmarked for its renovation.

Munroe Falls Community and Economic Development Director Lisa Hawes said the refurbishment and building works are being funded from the sale of the Lehner Community Center, a house that had been gifted to the city and sold last year.

Hawes told city council members that plans had been drawn up for a sweeping external patio on two sides and an extension to provide newer amenities and more space inside for functions and events.

“The inside of the lodge is charming, but the outside is sad,” she said at a meeting held at the lodge Sept. 22. “We hope to put in an exterior door and a stamped concrete patio and make it more inviting.”

The changes would mean the venue could accommodate more than the official maximum of 79 people by using inside and outside spaces.

Council members agreed to commit up to $25,000 to have detailed architectural plans drawn up for the improvements. The city sold the old Lehner Community Center for around $450,000 last year.

Council members welcomed the proposals and suggested the plans be reworked to move the kitchen – currently occupying a corner of the lodge – into the extension to create a bigger function space with increased capacity.

“There are no complaints from people when they are in the lodge, but the outside is ugly and needs pizazz,” Munroe Falls Mayor Allen Mavrides said. “We are looking at using some river stone and regrading the land and fancying it up.”

“A nice patio would be a good upgrade and make it more exciting,” Council Member Ross Widenor said. “We could go back possibly 20 feet and create a new square space inside.”

The existing building is about 40 feet by 40 feet. It has been proposed to build onto the back of the lodge for the extension, which would contain a new boiler room alongside restrooms, storage and potentially the new kitchen.

Hawes said it was important to keep the new outside patio to the front and side of the lodge to maintain privacy for the neighbors living behind the lodge.

“With the improvements, the lodge could also be used as a business center,” said Hawes. “It would be ideal for conferences or sales training.”

She added that any changes had to be maintained in the future within budget.

There are no plans to increase the costs of using the lodge, which are currently based on which days of the week it is rented. It is also cheaper for Munroe Falls residents to rent than non-residents.