Business Matters: Renovations Start at Sundance Golf Banquet Bowl
Change is on the horizon in Dayton, just across the Maple Grove border. A sea of homes is under construction in the growing city. Some of the new construction centers around significant changes coming to Sundance Golf Banquet Bowl.
“We’re remodeling for the future,” said Bryan Skochenski, general manager of Sundance Golf Banquet Bowl. “It’s hugely exciting because around us we have new homeowners that are coming into play. And we’re right in their back yard.”
Sundance Golf Closure Leads to New Ownership
The Sundance golf course has been around for 40 years, the bowling center for nearly 25. But that changed in October when the business closed. It lasted for three and a half weeks when a new owner took over the business. Developer Tom Dehn, a Dayton native, bought the business. Dehn also owns the land and has ambitious plans for the site.
“He wants to leave his legacy in town,” said Skochenski. “We’re happy to build it for him.”
Sundance quietly reopened in early November. But word soon got out.
“When we were able to do a soft opening in the bar and put down 3 o’clock on a Friday, we’re going to reopen the bar, at 1:30 customers are coming in and they’re waiting. And they’re smiling and having a great time. It just brings back the positive memories,” said Skochenski, who managed Sundance for three and a half years until April. Dehn wanted him to return.
Employees Return
Not only did Skochenski return, but about 25 former employees also made their way back. Employees like Dori Beach couldn’t be happier to have their old jobs back.
“We were very excited that the owners believed in us to keep us going. Because it’s like a family working here. And it doesn’t seem like a job.”
Customers were excited too. Ken Franko says he has frequented Sundance for the last 25 years.
“It’s a meeting place for everybody in the community with a lot of people we’ve known for years that all meet up here,” Franko said. “It’s one of those places you can come up to and know you’re going to run into somebody you know.”
Management wants to build on that.
“All the new construction homes that are coming around Sundance, we’re very excited for,” said Skochenski.
Sundance Golf Course to Become Nine Holes
More than 500 homes will be built on current golf course land in a development called Sundance Greens. Dehn will oversee that housing development, which will feature high-end homes, some costing $750,000 and up. There are two other housing developments in various stages of construction: Sundance Woods, which features nearly 200 homes south of the golf course; and Brayburn Trails, which is expected to include more than 300 homes off the number six fairway. When all construction is completed, a process that will take up to eight years, roughly 1,100 new homes will wrap around the golf course.
The 18-hole course, meanwhile, will be sliced to nine holes, a significant change that management attributes to the changing nature of golf.
“Most people are happy shooting nine holes. They get tired when they get around to 18,” said Skochenski. “They will be the best nine holes that are around.”
The change will allow the Sundance venue to add volleyball courts. There is also plans for a swimming pool. Skochenski says the plans will not only will shape one business’s future, but will shape the future of a city.
“It’s hugely exciting because around us we have new homeowners that are coming into play. And we’re right in their back yard.”
