4 April 2024 Pamplin Media Group

By DAVE MAUK Charbonneau Country Club

Charbonneau ’ s clubhouse building opened on September 16 , 1978 and has been a hub of activity ever since . The golf pro shop moved to its current location on the south side of the building at that time , as well . In its earliest days , the clubhouse consisted of the fireplace room lounge , a bar area , restrooms and a commercial kitchen . It served as the only place for meetings , indoor activities and events until the Activity Center was opened in 2022 . The clubhouse has hosted scores of private events like weddings , celebrations of life , community theater , auctions and fundraisers that now migrate between the two buildings .

Charbonneau ’ s many groups , like the Niners , CWA , Arts Association and Men ’ s Club regularly used the clubhouse for staging events . The Veterans breakfast , with the late Bill Schonely often as MC , was held there for years . So were Easter egg hunts , dinner theater , annual Boys and Girls Club and Pink Ball fundraisers , and , of course , 4th Friday dinners , which still take place in the clubhouse dining room . The Charbonneau Singers , fashion shows , costume parties and social events made it a very busy place .

Kim Hosford , who was the activity and event coordinator at the time , recalls , “ It was challenging to fit all the activities and events into the limited space of the clubhouse . The dining room went through amazing transformations from event-to-event , as it was decorated , lighted and staged by all the various activity groups . It was the center of the

COURTESY PHOTOS

LEFT : Construction workers completing the recently-renovated clubhouse . RIGHT : This is what the exterior of the clubhouse looked like before the renovations .

country club .”

There have been two extensive remodels and additions to the clubhouse over the years , as well as the recent renovation , where windows , doors , roofing , siding and entrances were replaced . In 1983 the dining and card rooms and an expanded kitchen were added . A section of the original roof truss is still visible from a closet where the outside wall was located , above where the accordion doors are now . In 1991 , another remodel expanded the entrance foyer , added a skylight and cloak room and new restrooms at the pro shop , made possible by extending the roof on the east side of the building . When the small loan for the project was paid off , a ceremony was held at the fireplace , burning paper representing the loan .

Among other notable occasions at the clubhouse was Edith Green ’ s talk in 1983 about her 20 years in Congress . She brought the crowd to its feet with a standing ovation for “ the finest presentation of the year .” In 2004 , former Oregon Gov . Barbara Roberts spoke to a full house at the spring CWA luncheon . And about eight years ago , Make- A-Wish was one such event , where the young boy who was the recipient wanted a Star Wars theme party . Wookies , Chewbacca , laser swords and costumed characters indeed made the event special .

The original fireplace room , with its large stone fireplace and hardwood dance floor , is the same as when the building opened . As it now sits , the clubhouse also has a card room , a large dining room , a fully equipped commercial kitchen , a game room with pool , ping pong and shuffleboard tables , collections of puzzles and board games and a nook featuring Charbonneau history , an office , restrooms and foyer . The basement of the clubhouse is used for storing golf carts , equipment , and items used by the club ’ s many activities and groups .

“ The changes that have occurred over the past five years to the country club campus are awesome for the community . It has made such a difference , creating these valuable new spaces . The energy and happy faces of members is the coolest thing ,” says general manager Jim Meierotto .

The clubhouse building is like a duplex , with Charbonneau Country Club owning the clubhouse section and Charbonneau

Golf Club owning the pro shop and restaurant , which was renovated and rebranded as The Market Cafe in 2022 . It and the pro shop are businesses operated by Charbonneau Golf Club . Between the two entities , approximately $ 900,000 was spent on the latest refurbishment , largely paid by using reserve funds set aside for that purpose .

The clubhouse is an excellent place for cards , games , parties , lunches , dinners and events . The Market Cafe provides daily food , beverage and take-out service throughout the year . The new siding and roof have really spruced up the 45-year-old building , where it offers members more space to conduct their activities and events . “ The recent improvements are another great example of the country club and golf club successfully working together where everyone benefits ,” said former CCC president Gary Newbore . For residents who haven ’ t been by the refurbished clubhouse , it ’ s well worth the visit ( and your key fob gains you access when you do ). Pick up a pool cue , ping pong paddle , a game , puzzle , draft beer , or a burger and enjoy what the the revitalized clubhouse offers .

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