Manager Matt Young, president of SJA, Inc., management firm from Atlanta, Georgia, is ready to announce a grand series of events at the Grandest Grand Opening. The hotel soon will be part of the Choice Hotels chain, he said
Grandest Grand Opening Set Friday at Revitalized Bay Valley Hotel
Manager Matt Young Enthused About Community, Says Come One, Come All
April 30, 2007
By: Dave Rogers
If you show up Friday at 5:30 for the Grandest Grand Opening you're sure to catch the new spirit at the Hotel Bay Valley Resort and Conference Center.
You can meet new owner Roland McKind, the first African American owner of a golf course in Michigan and fifth in the country.
McKind is a 35-year-old Toledo real estate developer who bootstrapped his way up by renovating rental properties.
Now this entrepreneurial whiz kid is bringing his "can do" spirit to Bay County, purchasing Bay Valley recently from former owner Anthony Barclae of St. Charles.
Manager Matt Young, president of SJA, Inc., management firm from Atlanta, Georgia, is ready to announce a grand series of events at the Grandest Grand Opening. The hotel soon will be part of the Choice Hotels chain, he said.
"Bring your golf clubs, your bathing suit and your appetite," enthuses Young, who is offering a special weekend room rate of $69 from now to Memorial Day. Just call and mention MyBayCity.com for your discounted rate.
Young has enlisted consultant Tim Cherry, to help make community connections.
Young also is meeting to formulate plans with Cliff VanDyke, of the Bay County Growth Alliance, County Executive Tom Hickner and other local officials.
He is considering a shuttle service to the new casino at Saganing and special room rates.
The new manager also has opened the pool and health club for nearby condominium residents in a welcoming gesture. Indoor tennis and soccer may be back, along with trade shows if plans materialize for renovation of the former tennis club into a multi-purpose facility.
The grand opening Friday, 5:30 - 8 p.m., will also feature goodies like frozen drinks and hamburgers and hot dogs served under a tent by U.S. Food Chefs, the food contractor for Bay Valley. Chris Roach will offer an acoustical show.
Young is breathless with ideas and new initiatives including 19th Hole golf decor in the Players Lounge, "dueling" pianos and flavored martini bar along with "basket food."
Bay Valley's Player's Lounge - Great Relaxation After 18 Holes of Golf
Heatherfields Restaurant will have new menus with prices for the Sunday brunch lowered from $17.95 to $12.95. The restaurant will be "kid friendly" and will have steaks on the broiler and more conventional food.
And, get this Frankenlust area residents who have trouble getting delivery, Bay Valley will bring pizza, salads, wraps, subs and wings right to your door. Need catering or food or special treats for tailgate parties? Call Bay Valley, 686-3500.
How about a wine bar, with premium wines by the glass, a martini bar with a sparkling array of flavored martinis?
Want entertainment? Come to Bay Valley for karaoke on Thursday nights, entertainment Friday and Saturday nights and comedy on Sunday nights.
Groups like churches, clubs, class reunions and others will find Bay Valley a welcoming place and will receive special treatment, Young said. Just contact the sales department, he said.
Advertising and signage will be upgraded, including a neon-lined porte cochere and sign package, new logo, and LED scrolling sign at the entrance. Also, a wing with 85 rooms will be renovated. Wow, isn't that enough?
After the property officially becomes part of the Choice Hotels chain there likely will be another grand opening, probably in August, said the new manager.
Young, a native of South Bend, Indiana, grew up in Sylvania, Ohio, and attended Ohio State University, studying restaurant management. His wife is from Three Rivers, Michigan.
Young began his career as assistant general manager of the St. Regis Hotel in Detroit and has been involved in many corporate ventures from Orlando to Las Vegas. He has been in Orlando for the past 10 years as president of South East Hotel Management that managed 22 properties and opened a new hotel in Las Vegas.
"Bring your golf clubs, your bathing suit and your appetite," enthuses Young, who is offering a special weekend room rate of $69 from now to Memorial Day. Just call and mention MyBayCity.com for your discounted rate.