An early morning fire this weekend at the Elgin Country Club has left its main building temporarily closed.
Firefighters were called to 2575 Weld Road at about 3 a.m. Saturday, where they found a pile of garbage about three feet long and three feet wide on fire, according to Elgin Fire Department Battalion Chief Tim Ryan. It was in the first-floor restaurant area, which is currently undergoing renovation and where the walls had been stripped and readied for painting, Ryan said.
Firefighters were able to put out the fire with an extinguisher, just prior to the building’s sprinkler system activating. The damage is estimated at about $40,000, Ryan said.
Due to smoke damage, country club management decided to close the building until further notice, according to an email sent to members Saturday morning.
Management is working with its insurance company and with a fire/smoke restoration company on the matter. Once that process is complete, staff is to notify members as to when the facility will reopen, the email said.
The club manager did not return calls for comment.
Elgin Country Club was founded in 1901 by 32 men who leased an 80-acre tract of farmland and began the operation with a 9-hole golf course, according to the club’s website. It’s a private membership venue that now offers a restaurant and banquet and event facilities, outdoor swimming pool, fishing, tennis, pickleball and programs for children.
Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.