Conference center came from outside-the-box thinking

Silver Oak Golf Course & Events Center unveiled an executive conference center during a Carson City Chamber of Commerce breakfast there Tuesday.General manager Terrie McNutt said the conference center on the building’s upper floor was a product of thinking outside the box.“The best part,” she said, “is the view from here.”She spoke to about 75 at the chamber breakfast meeting, with the golf course and Sierra Nevada range outside the windows behind her. Mayor Robert Crowell praised the conference center, which includes a reorganization of 1950s and ’60s events center decor collected by Garth Richards, one of three owners. The mayor said it will help the city.“That’s a tremendous asset to our community,” said Crowell. He also took the opportunity to tout the city’s position in Nevada despite problems with which every place in the state must cope.“We are a lot better off than other communities,” he said.Ronni Hannaman, chamber executive director, spoke briefly as well and afterward, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. She said the executive conference center will help stimulate Carson City’s north side.Also on hand was Stan Jones, chamber board chairman, who expressed delight with the new center and said the board of directors he chairs would be meeting there in April.“What a wonderful venue,” he told the crowd enjoying breakfast.McNutt said the conference center space was 7,500 square feet. “This is our pride; this is our home,” she said.It includes not only the main area in which the breakfast was under way, she said, but also two breakout rooms. They are called the Governor Guinn Room and the Golf Room, the former honoring the late Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn.Richards and Guinn were friends, McNutt said. She also gave credit for the conference center to other owners of the golf course complex: Sean Richards and Mark Turner.The building’s reconfiguration put the pro shop and golf shop downstairs, allowing easy access for golfers. McNutt cited other upgrades such as 80 new golf carts and the new oldies look featuring much mid-20th century memorabilia.“It is a unique golf course,” she said. “It is a unique building.”McNutt said John Hurzel of Grandma Hattie’s Family Restaurant and Grandma Hattie’s Catered will handle catering for the conference center.Hurzel, who catered the chamber breakfast, told the crowd it would be “a cooperative, so to speak.”McNutt also said Linda Ritter, interim director of the Carson City Convention & Visitors Bureau, would market the new center to lure outside opportunities.But McNutt indicated the conference center was for home town needs as well. Stressing local promotion and connections, she said, “I am Carson City, Carson City, Carson City.”