WILLMAR - A barn that was used to stable horses has been remodeled into a year-round vacation lodge that would be just as comfortable to hunters needing a base camp for a week as it would to a group of people who want to spend the weekend scrapbooking.
Lakeview Lodge, located on state Highway 9 and overlooking West Norway Lake in northern Kandiyohi County, opens for business this week.
Galen Koll spent the summer remodeling the two-story, 22-by-32-foot barn at his rural home to create Lakeview Lodge.
With a fully equipped kitchen, laundry, fireplace, handicapped-accessible bathroom and sleeping room for about a dozen people, the lodge can accommodate family gatherings, church groups or friends who are looking for a cozy place to have parties, reunions, hold meetings or take advantage of nearby hunting, fishing and outdoor recreational opportunities.
Lakeview Lodge is located just a few miles away from Sibley State Park, Monson Lake State Park and Kandiyohi County Park 7.
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Access to the state snowmobile trail is just 300 yards down the road.
With a chain of lakes nearby, fishing is easy to get to, Koll said. He has a processing room for hunters to clean fish and small game, with a deep freeze available to hold the meat during their stay.
He hopes to have fish houses available to customers yet this winter on West Norway Lake. "I can't guarantee the fish, though," he said with a grin.
Koll has maps of public hunting grounds for hunters to use. He has six kennels available for people who want to bring their dogs with them.
A corral just outside the lodge is available for lodgers who want to bring horses to ride the trails at nearby Sibley State Park.
A large, open area on the second floor could accommodate tables for groups who want to work on crafts or do scrapbooks, Koll said.
A campfire ring for bonfires, horseshoe pit, a treehouse with a skylight, a second-floor deck and a future hot tub help round out the amenities at the lodge, located on a 16-acre farm site in the middle of the county's prime recreational area.
Koll said he wanted to create a place for "people who just want to get away."
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With new exterior siding and a full interior remodel, it's hard to imagine the lodge with horses and hay.
Nurturing his desire to save and reuse good building materials -- especially those with a hint of Minnesota's farm heritage -- Koll said he opted to remodel the barn rather than build a new structure from scratch. He also likes the look of the old barn, and it was less expensive than building new.
Given the sagging roof, holes in the hayloft floor and siding that "you could see through," turning the old barn into a comfortable lodge was a challenge, Koll said.
But with 4-foot-high cement side walls and solid beams, the barn provided a good foundation. In keeping with zoning requirements for a lodge, he installed a separate sanitary septic system.
As he completed the finishing touches last week, Koll said he's proud of the lodge and is looking forward to having people stay there. "It's exactly how I imagined it," said Koll. "Now I'm ready."
With fewer resorts in the area, Koll said he hopes his lodge will help meet a need for the community. "People are looking for a place to go," he said.
Owning a hospitality business is a new venture for Koll, who works full time for the New London-Spicer School District's maintenance department. He bought the farm property after his home and horse riding stable near New London was purchased as part of the state Highway 23 reconstruction project. He's hoping the lodge will provide some retirement income in the future.
With an easy smile and gentle nature, Koll said he will interact with his lodge guests but respect their privacy.
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"I enjoy people. I enjoy meeting people," Koll said.
An open house will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. For more information, or to make reservations, call 320-354-2927.
