STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — It bills itself as the latest “place to be” for fun in Sturgeon Bay.
Officials dedicated the new Door County Boardwalk Wednesday morning.
“This building was just one big abandoned warehouse. The building is 30,000 square feet in total. But the building had been sitting for many years empty. The building needed work. We stuck a bunch of time and money into it, to get the building to where it is today. It’s a big usable space now,” said Scott Virlee, Virlee Gunworks Shooting Center Owner.
“We did a study, and in the study, the study came back that Sturgeon Bay needed a venue,” said Steve Estes, Door County Boardwalk Owner.
Steve Estes says Virlee Gunworks features an eight-lane shooting range. He says the Sandbox bar-restaurant offers an indoor driving range, as well as an area to practice those axe-throwing skills, and the Gala hall provides a destination for weddings, concerts, comedy shows, and other events.
“It’s just fun. Something that you can come. In Wisconsin you have so many rainy days, and cold days and winter. So you can come. Everything is heated, and air-conditioned. And you have fun, all year long,” said Estes.
Estes says the project is three years in-the-making, and cost between $2-3 million. He says about 25 jobs were created, and there are plans to develop the property beyond the three current businesses.
“We’re not done yet. We still have more to do, and there’s a lot of room to grow,” said Estes.
Scott Virlee says it’s an effect that goes beyond the Boardwalk.
“I think that this building here is going to have a huge impact on the community, as well as visitors coming to the area,” he said.
The Door County Boardwalk is already booking some musical acts.
Officials say they have a band lined up for their New Year’s Eve party.
