OUR FACILITY
Room Rental & Daily Use
In addition to using spaces within our facility with a daily pass or membership (click Membership Rates below), our facilities are available for rental to the public, civic organizations and businesses. Hourly, daily and extended rental fees are available and can be arranged by contacting Gretchen at 218-547-1853 or email.
Daily Use
The WACC features several spaces one can use to have a quiet meeting, relax and watch TV or sit by the fireplace, do schoolwork or use as temporary remote office. WiFi is available throughout the building as well as public bathrooms, member-only locker rooms and vending options.
Private Parties & Special Events
Whether you are planning a social event, fund-raiser, holiday party, wedding reception or any other celebration, the Walker Area Community Center can accommodate your needs. We offer both traditional and non-traditional sites to host your event. Choose from the Ringle Library, which is suitable for up to 20 guests and features a fireplace, soft seating and a touch of home or choose the Rotary Room, which is suitable for gatherings up to 250 people. For non-traditional setting, host your event on our multi-sport court, which can be set up to accommodate dinner, dancing and entertainment. Our staff will help you with your food and beverage needs upon request.
Corporate Events
Business meetings, sales rallies, trade shows and employee appreciation events area all possible at our versatile facility. We offer wonderful and unique meeting and reception space. Our staff provide a hands on approach to assure that your event successful.
Employee Appreciation Days
Treat your employees and their families to a day of fun. Let us help you design a day of activities for your employees with a slightly competitive edge as they compete as teams or individuals in volleyball, pickle-ball, dodgeball or maybe a puck-shooting contest.
Daily Use
The WACC features several spaces available for daily use. 4-person tables line the hallways for use to have a quiet meeting , do schoolwork or use as temporary remote office. Or relax and watch TV or sit by the fireplace in our lounge area. WiFi is available throughout the building as well as public bathrooms, member-only locker rooms and vending options.
Rotary Room
The Rotary Room is available for rental for parties, meetings and any other function. The Rotary Room comfortably seats 150 and is located directly next to the kitchen. A serving area is available between the kitchen and Rotary Room. There is a variety of audio-visual equipment available in the Rotary Room. Also located outside of the exterior doors is are several picnic tables with umbrellas for outdoor seating.
Kitchen
The MHD-Approved full service kitchen contains ample stainless steel tables and counters, large stainless steel sinks (no garbage disposal), 2 ovens, a 6-burner stove with griddle, a microwave, a large 2 door fridge, an upright freezer unit, 3 compartment steam table and a cafeteria-style serving area. A separate back entry provides convenient caterer access. NOTE: Utensils, cookware, silverware, dinnerware, towels, potholders, sponges, etc. are provided in limited supply.
Ringle Library
The Ringle Library (pronounced "Ring-Lee") features a fireplace, TV, meeting tables, couch, sink and serving counter, exterior door and is brightly lit. This room is perfect for birthday parties, small meetings and classes such as yoga or stretching. Daytime access is limited during the school year due to student use.
This library was built in memory of Dr. Ringle and his family wishes that you will use it for your pleasure and enjoyment. In 1931, Dr. Ringle came to Walker from a farm in Southern Minnesota, built a new hospital, a new home and he and his wife Clara had a baby boy - all in the same year! Dr. Ringle served the medical needs of the Leech Lake area for the next 46 years, until he also passed away in 1976.
Arena
The Walker Area Community Center is home to Walker Youth Hockey as well as the Walker Curling Club. In addition to these clubs, we offer open skating times and a variety of intramural leagues. Open skating and open hockey is available during set times and skate rentals are available at the front desk. You can also rent the rink for a private party or skating time.
During our summer months, the rink is removed and the WACC Arena can host a variety of events such as Home & Garden shows, Flea Markets and Craft Fairs. Large garage doors open on both ends to create feeling of openness in the space.
Boys & Girls Club
The WACC features several spaces available for daily use. 4-person tables line the hallways for use to have a quiet meeting , do schoolwork or use as temporary remote office. Or relax and watch TV or sit by the fireplace in our lounge WiFi is available throughout the building as well as public bathrooms, member-only locker rooms and vending options.
Solar Panels
As printed in the Pilot Independent Newspaper on August 23, 2016, by Gail DeBoer, Pilot Independent Staff Writer
How often does a worthwhile project that’s searching for funding cross paths with a business that wants to donate funds to a worthwhile project?
Not often — but that’s what happened with the Walker Area Community Center (WACC) and its new 90-panel solar array.
The WACC has been working with the Rural Renewable Energy Alliance (RREAL) of Pine River to design a solar panel installation to offset some of the WACC’s electrical costs. WACC and RREAL had done all the legwork and the project was ready to go — except for funding.
At roughly the same time, Minnesota Power and Light (MPL) was trying to decide how to use money that was earmarked for qualified projects in communities intheir service area. But the window of opportunity to spend those dollars was short.
“We had four or five months to nail down projects,” recalls Josh Goutermont of MPL. “So we worked with the Region 5 Economic Development Corporation (R5DC) to see if any local units of government or nonprofits had approached them looking for funding.”
Among the eligible projects suggested by R5DC was the one at the WACC.
“It fit all our requirements,” Goutermont said. “The WACC serves the community, and they had this great solar project put together that was all ready — except for the money.”
On Aug. 12 the solar array, with about 90 solar panels, was being installed by a RREAL crew in a cleared area north of the WACC that faces south.
MPL’s final contribution will be slightly under $150,000. No matching funds are required from the WACC. MPL estimates the solar array will generate about 39,000 kilowatts annually. At optimum production, it should offset about 40-45 percent of the WACC’s energy usage per month.
“There are some variables, like if the panels are dirty or how much sun they get; but it’s a pretty good estimate,” he added.
Barring weather delays, the solar array should be commissioned and operating by mid-August.
“MPL is very happy to be making an investment in all the communities we serve,” Goutermont stated. “This will be a model that people and businesses can come and look at.”