Owners address future of Lakeside Ballroom
The owners of the Lakeside Ballroom are looking for ideas to reinvigorate the historic Guttenberg landmark, which was built in 1927.
By Audrey Posten
The owners of the Lakeside Ballroom are looking for ideas to reinvigorate the historic Guttenberg landmark.
Kyle Selberg and Ron Shorkey, along with a local third partner, took over the Lakeside in December 2021. At the time, said Selberg, they saw it as an opportunity to bring in big bands and live music, “similar to the 1960s and 1970s vibe the Lakeside had.”
Selberg and Shorkey, who do not live in Guttenberg, later parted ways with their local partner. Their distance from the community makes it challenging to open the Lakeside regularly.
“So we’ve been doing bigger events: weddings, the Ducks Unlimited Banquet, the fireman’s dance,” Shorkey said. “Then we are going to be open a few weekends over the summer.”
These challenges prompted Selberg and Shorkey to hold a meeting about the future of Lakeside Ballroom. They included a handful of community leaders with an interest in preserving Guttenberg history.
“Lakeside was built in 1927, during Prohibition,” Selberg said. “It’s a historic gem.”
The intent, explained Selberg, was to brainstorm about the property’s future and potential purposes. A spectrum of possibilities was listed, from tearing down the structure to erect condos or apartments to finding a new owner or chef who could cook and run the ballroom, “and lots of possibilities in between,” he said.
“By me mentioning the possibility [of tearing Lakeside down], rumors started going around,” Selberg stated. “But I’m hoping we can set the record straight.”
Selberg and Shorkey stressed no decision has been made. Tearing down Lakeside Ballroom, while a possibility if the property can’t be repurposed or sold, is the absolute last option they would prefer. Instead, the two hope to get out of the venture and find another owner for Lakeside.
They encourage people to contact them at lakesideiowa@gmail.com if there is interest in purchasing Lakeside, or even in sharing ideas or joining their brainstorming group.
“If somebody is interested, now would be a great time because Lakeside is approaching 100 years,” Selberg said. “You could buy it and get your feet on the ground for a year, then work with the city or chamber or other community groups to have a big-time celebration.”
Selberg and Shorkey still see a lot of potential in the space, and Shorkey hopes Lakeside Ballroom’s legacy will attract someone.
“It’s been around for so long,” he said. “So many people know about it.”
