Hosting your next event at a rental facility operated by the Township of Selwyn means far more than just booking a room. It’s an opportunity to tap into expert guidance, personalized support, and a rich mix of indoor and outdoor amenities that help turn any gathering into a memorable one.
“We have a variety of meeting rooms and halls all over the township, from Ennismore to Bridgenorth to Lakefield,” says Amy Stevenson, administrative assistant with the Township of Selwyn’s Recreation Services Department. “They can all be structured to accommodate whatever gathering you want.”
The fully accessible facilities, each equipped with a ramp or elevator, can accommodate any size of gathering from 40 to 200 people. Flexible half-day and full-day rates include the use of chairs and rectangular tables that Recreation Services Department staff can arrange ahead of the event to accommodate any floor plan.
“We are always willing to help make the event what you want,” Stevenson says.
In addition to a range of unique amenities, each of the facilities offers at least a kitchenette with a full fridge, sink, and microwave, while most are equipped with a full kitchen, including a stove, in a separate space.
Since each facility is licensed under the LLBO, if you’re hosting a celebration you can work with township staff to add a bartender to the cost of the rental. The bartender will work with you to design a drink menu that matches your needs as well as the food from your chosen caterer.
“The bartender will organize and work with the person renting, and they’ll bring everything to the hall and have it all set up at a reasonable rate for each drink,” says Stevenson. “The renter just needs to get their third-party liability insurance, but we will also support them in doing that.”
Whether you need a sound system, projector, microphone, or outdoor dining area, township staff can assist you in finding the best facility. They can also offer advice on how a space can be configured to best match your event needs.
“We’ve picked up things from past event organizers, like how they’ve decorated or set up the space, and can pass that on to renters,” says Meaghan Larocque, the Township of Selwyn’s communications and marketing coordinator. “We’re able to help a person narrow down the facility and what can be done there, because the department works so closely with the renters.”
Ample parking is also available at each location for the convenience of your guests, and there’s also the opportunity to expand your event beyond the interior space to take advantage of nearby amenities.
“A lot of people don’t realize that these meeting spaces are so close to other amenities,” says Larocque. “You’re not just stuck to that square footage. You can go above and beyond because you’ve got all these different amenities right beside the facilities that you can utilize.”
For example, The River Den at 13 Water Street North in Lakefield is surrounded by natural spaces. As its name suggests, The River Den offers a view of the Otonabee River and is located next to the Lakefield Marina and Isabel Morris Park, with access to a pavilion, playground, and skatepark. With a capacity of up to 40 people, its intimate size makes it great for hosting committee meetings and exercise classes.
“If you’re having a kid’s birthday party, you can use the skatepark, the accessible kayak launch at the river, and the trails, before coming inside to cut the cake,” says Larocque. “There’s even a farmers’ market running on certain days.”
Other popular spaces include the Niels Pind Room on the upper level of the Lakefield-Smith Community Centre at 20 Concession Street in Lakefield, and the Ennismore Auditorium located in the Ennismore Community Centre at 553 Ennis Road in Ennismore. With a capacity of up to 120 and 200 people respectively, these spacious and inviting rooms include access to full kitchens and are often used for team celebrations and banquets as well as birthday parties.
Another location immersed in nature is the Marshland Centre at 65 Hague Boulevard in Lakefield, which offers a more rustic setting near the Lakefield Beach and Playground and Lakefield Campground. The natural light, cathedral ceilings, and lake and park views make it an ideal space for gatherings of up to 75 people.
For outdoor gatherings, the Bridgenorth Community Hall at 836 Charles Street in Bridgenorth offers a large patio complete with furniture and seating areas as well as a large kitchen for caterers. Having earned coveted awards for its excellence in wood design, the building itself is a gorgeous venue that can host events of up to 125 people.
With a capacity of up to 30 people, the Centennial Room located in Lakefield’s historic town hall at 8 Queen Street is ideal for small meetings, offers a kitchenette, and is within walking distance of the Otonabee River and plenty of natural green spaces. The room is available free of charge or by donation to registered non-profit organizations, with an accessible fee for others. For booking inquiries, call the Selwyn Public Library at 705-292-5065.
Regardless of the space you choose, the Township of Selwyn staff are available to help you ensure your event is a success.
“There’s so many things you can do with these spaces in the Township of Selwyn,” says Larocque. “Your imagination is the limit.”
For more information about the halls and meeting rooms available for rental in the Township of Selwyn and to check availability and make a booking, visit selwyntownship.ca/local-government/recreation-services-department/halls-and-meeting-rooms/.
This branded editorial was created in partnership with the Township of Selwyn. If your organization or business is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.
