When searching for venues very close to home, both the City of Powell and Park County have options for rent.

The city has the Commons at Pond Park. The facility on Bent Street can accommodate up to 300 seats, said City Clerk Tiffany Brando, although that number isn’t carved in stone. It is the number of chairs the facility provides with a rental. The couple can bring in more if they choose.

“We aren’t real busy yet,” another employee of the city said. “I think people are a little gun shy.”

The building boasts a prep kitchen and alcohol is permitted with the appropriate licensing from the city. Information about the building and its amenities and associated costs can be found on the City of Powell website.

Brando said a party has to bring in the application, have it notarized and pay the $150 deposit — at least one month’s advance notice is preferred — and the alcohol permit has to be secured 30 days in advance as well. When a date is reserved, it makes the facility available for that 24 hour period, meaning if the reception will last into the wee hours, other arrangements should be discussed. Costs are $175 per weekend day or $400 for the entire weekend. The use of 300 chairs and approximately 40 tables is included, but cleanup is mandatory for return of the deposit. For more information on use of the Commons, stop by City Hall or call 754-5106.

Park County Fairgrounds is also available for weddings and receptions. Audra Jewell, events administrator, said she has had many inquires about using the various halls, and several weddings are already booked, including one in February and a couple more in March.

“COVID has hurt any rental industry,” Jewell said. “But we still had weddings last year, even with the size limitations.”

Part of that may have been because some of the sites are very large and can accommodate social distancing well.

“First, they need to call and check their date and talk about what they want, what building, kitchen or no kitchen, if they need tables and chair rentals,” Jewell said.

Heart Mountain Hall, for instance, is 10,000 square feet and can be rented with a kitchen for $400 or without for $220. Smaller halls range around $150, less without kitchen privileges, and there are also multiple grassy areas and an open air pavilion available.

Tables, chairs, stages for a band or disc jockey and sound systems are also available for rental, Jewell said, and the buildings are connected for WiFi, in case the wedding party has its own playlist and wants to provide their own music. 

Alcohol use is also allowed at the fairground’s facilites, either served to guests by a party member or by using a licensed establishment to provide the bar. In either case the office has to be informed about the use and a city permit is required.

For more information on renting a facility at the fairgrounds, contact Jewell at 754-8855.