Wedding prep: Alta House Event Center continuing to prep for first big wedding

The Alta House Event Center in Newton is still prepping for its first big wedding by completing a few more renovations. Located at 1600 E. 36th St. S. near the Newton KOA Campgrounds, the center is currently ready to host smaller interior events at the new site.

The owners of the Alta House Event Center also happen to own of the Newton KOA Campgrounds. Dana and Curtis VanGilder purchased the Newton KOA in January of 2018 and shortly after they found they needed to get a few things up to compliance.

“We had a few years to bring our showers, bathrooms and our laundry up to ADA compliance,” Dana said.

The VanGilders also had an idea to purchase a building that was previously located across from the Iowa Speedway and move it to the Newton KOA location. By doing so, it would allow them to create facilities that were in ADA compliance.

“A portion of the lower half of the Alta House is dedicated to ADA compliant family-style bathrooms and an ADA laundry ... Designed for our new section of the camground,” Dana said.

After the building moved locations and was placed on its new foundation, renovations such as replacing the roof and adding more windows began. The grand opening event was originally set to for April but the coronavirus forced it to be canceled.

“April 30 we were going to do an opening with the Newton Chamber,” Dana said.

The maximum sit down capacity in the event center is 225 but there also is an outside area where people can have events such as a ceremony or reception, which is currently being constructed.

“Our contractors are just getting started now on all of the exterior stuff,” Dana said.

The expectations are all of the renovations, exterior and interior, are going to be completed by August of this year when the Alta House expects to host its first large wedding at the new venue.

“Our first full wedding is going to be Aug. 21,” Dana said.

The Alta House is available for rent on the weekends now, and Dana said the first 20 bookings will get it at half price. A rental from 2 p.m. Friday to 1 p.m. Sunday is currently $3,800.

“That includes the bridal salon,” Dana said.

Once the venue is finished, they will be looking to host a wedding weekend package which allows parties to have their entire wedding weekend at the venue. Having the campground next door is an added benefit to the center. Also, during the week, other events will be able to be held.

“We want them to be able to come in and enjoy their family and friends who come in from out of town and just make it a whole weekend. A nice, relaxed wedding weekend instead of just a wedding day,” Dana said.

For more information on what the Alta House Event Center can offer, check out its Facebook page or visit its website at altahouse.com or call 641-792-2582.

“We really love the City of Newton and feel like this will be a great addition to Newton as a whole,” Dana said.

Contact Dustin Teays at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or dteays@newtondailynews.com