The Bridgeport News
Thursday, February 23, 2006
By Lynn Vance – NEWS STAFF WRITER
If you build it, they will come. And that is exactly what the city of Bridgeport was hoping for when they decided to build a $3 million conference center at the Charles Pointe development, adjacent to the Wingate Inn, located off the Jerry Dove exit on Interstate 79.
The facility has yet to open its doors, and people have yet to see inside the walls of the facility, but already, businesses and area residents are knocking on the door to book their events, according to Terri Satterfield, events manager for Genesis Partners, the developers of Charles Pointe.
Satterfield said people are calling daily booking conferences and meetings, not even knowing when the Center’s actual opening date is. So exactly when will the grand opening event take place?
“April 1,” said Satterfield. ‘We should be moving into our offices (next week) and our first booking is April 12.”
Those who have yet to see inside the 15,000-square-foot facility will be in for a treat when it comes to booking their event.
The contemporary-style facility includes two 800-square-foot suites and a 4,500- square-foot ballroom. Satterfield said the facility can accommodate any size event.
“The two suites can each be divided into two rooms. Both will be equipped with LCD screens that will come down from the ceiling, projectors and a PA system,” said Satterfield.
For a meeting, Satterfield said the suites can sit 60 to 80 people, or 30 to 40 if the rooms are split.
The ballroom itself can also accommodate a large group of people or can be divided. Satterfield said it can be divided into two, three or four rooms depending on the size of the event.
To accommodate business clientele, the conference center is equipped with a business center. The business center will include a copy and fax machine a well as a computer center.
The facility, which is being managed by CP Hospitality, a subsidiary of Genesis Partners, also has its own fully functional kitchen. Executive chef Scott Duarte, a native of the North View section of Clarksburg, was able to design the kitchen himself. With 17 years of food service experience, Duarte said he was able to design the kitchen to accommodate the needs of his potential clientele.
“This kitchen really has the things that are necessary to produce large quantity, high-volume products for a conference,” said Duarte.
The 850-square-foot kitchen is complete with walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers. It consists of a complete range of heavy duty commercial equipment.
And don’t forget about the menu.
