Published: January 05, 2009 11:25 pm      

NORTH TONAWANDA: Canalside banquet hall taking shape

With rehab going on at Remington Rand and the existing beautification at Gateway Harbor Park, another new venture along the canal is nearing completion east of the CSX bridge, promising even more recreation potential.

Long-time North Tonawanda resident and businessman Michael Wachowicz, 42, is having the finishing touches put on what he envisions will become an affordable, “first-class” banquet and reception hall on the Erie Canal.

“The big problem in Western New York is people don’t know what we have here — we have the most phenomenal waterway and this way, everybody will have use of it,” he said.

Wachowicz built the structure, to be called Michael’s Landing, about eight years ago. For some time since, he took proposals from others to lease it for use in their own ventures.

“I bet you I had hundreds of calls to put other kinds of things in there and none of them made any sense to me. So I figured we’d just do it ourselves,” he said.

As workers Jake Shingledecker and Randall Knight worked amid the mostly bare framing inside Monday afternoon, Michael’s daughter Marlana Wachowicz-White gave the Tonawanda News a preview of the place, along with her husband Quinn.

She will handle the booking once the facility opens on its target date of May 1.

Here are some of the highlights: 30 boat docks, a gazebo, barbecue pit and patio capable of hosting about 250 people outside by the water.

Inside, those who lease the facility will have access to between four and six flat screen TVs with surround sound, video cameras set to record special events in all four corners of the hall and the bar, cut through the canal side wall, to serve those on the outside and up to 100 more within. There will be hardwood floors throughout.

A “working” kitchen and the bar will be available to any caterer chosen to handle that aspect by future renters, or as a readily available second kitchen for caterers who contact the facility and set up events on behalf of their clients.

Wachowicz-White hopes by allowing individuals the option to make many of the arrangements separately, they can save money.

“You pick the date, you pick the caterer and you pick the price,” she said.

Her father echoed that sentiment, estimating a modest wedding can cost $10,000 to $20,000, because it includes so many individual rentals for things like a bar/bartenders, tents, food caterers and facilities.

“Let’s just say, hypothetically, there’s Payne’s, (Cafe Banchetti) — one of these guys could come in and give you a deal for $5 or $10 a plate,” he said.

Then the scenic grounds and facility on the canal could be rented for between $200 and $1,600 depending on the day of week and the duration of the event.

There are already two dates reserved, Michael Wachowicz said. And although he said details on pricing and booking are still being ironed out, Saturday would be the big day, with all-day leases costing in the neighborhood of $1,600, he said. Then throughout the week, he said multiple bookings for, say, four hours apiece could be set up for around $300. Friday’s rates should fall in the middle, at around $900.

The site is viewed as ideal for almost any occasion; wedding receptions, corporate events, showers, private parties — anything could work.

“The docks will primarily be used by day-trippers. We’re going to put in a couple of canoe docks, (too),” he said. “We’re going to set up a few different things.

As an example, he discussed hosting canoe trips through the canal and other interior waterways off the Niagara River, where the company would transport the boats back to the reception hall for a few drinks and relaxation after short voyages.

“All first-class. That’s the main thing. It’s not going to be a pizzeria down there. It’s exactly what we need here in North Tonawanda,” Wachowicz said.

Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas Executive Director Joyce Santiago said she just learned of the progress made on the property, and would keep it in mind when recommending local catering, including for annual chamber events. There aren’t too many of the latter during the summer months aside from the clambake, held at Tonawanda Island’s Shores restaurant. She said she is pleased to hear such a business will be opening to drive business in the area.

“We do have people who call in from out of town lately for a place to hold things and we only have a few places to talk about,” Santiago said.

The chamber’s own annual dinner was held at a Holiday Inn in Amherst this year, and the group has cited a lack of adequately sized alternatives based here.

“So it’s always good,” she added. “We do try to utilize chamber members but it would be great to (go someplace) in North Tonawanda.”

Contact reporter Neale Gulley at 693-1000, ext. 114.