New event venue to combine historic house, camping
By Jodi Schwan
A new event venue has opened in Canton with plans to add a campground and cabins.
Gate City Events sits on 15 acres recently annexed into town on the west side of Canton along Highway 18.
Events can be held in a 1920s farmhouse that still has its original woodwork and flooring, and was expanded to include an indoor saltwater pool and hot tub.
“It’s quite large. The kitchen is in immaculate. It’s just amazing,” event manager Tamela Van Kalsbeek said.
The house sleeps 25 people, she said. Gate City also has converted an adjacent building to an event space that can seat up to 400 people banquet-style and includes a bridal room, groom’s room and kitchen.
“The goal is to have a lot of things. Weddings seem to be the big thing, but we’re targeting businesses conferences, too. We rent out for family reunions, friends’ get-togethers, you name it.”
The venue is booking up, but there are some weekends available this year, she said.
The next phase is to add a campsite to the west of the house that can accommodate 14 camping spots, including some RV pull-through spots, and then add rental cabins.
“They will all be connected and will be like a typical hotel room,” Van Kalsbeek said.
The goal is to start construction soon so those can be rented by the end of the year.
The new venue is a welcome addition in Canton, city manager Amanda Mack said.
“it’s just a different type of facility and fits a need that has been unmet in the community for a long time,” she said. “They’re great people, and we’re excited to have them.”
