Moose lodge construction nears completion

You can almost hear the moose calling their kind and kin.

Completion of reconstruction at Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge No. 2188 is about four weeks away.

Lodge administrator Ernie Casali said July 23 he expects to conduct a grand opening Oct. 3.

“We just think it’s going to be a fantastic opportunity for us, and the people are going to pack in,” Casali said.

While Casali was talking, workers were installing the ceiling in a dining area at the south end of the building. The counter tops are done. The concrete ramps have been poured.

Workers still need to finish the bathrooms and install railings and outside stairs. They were expected to install a lift July 24 for members with mobility issues, followed by the lift enclosure.

“You can get on it with or without a chair,” Casali said. “We’ve got a lot of members here who are not going to be able to ‘make’ the stairs” others will use.

Getting upstairs is important because the biggest attraction is likely to be the seating on the roof. Members who want to eat upstairs will have to carry their plates, because a dumbwaiter is not yet installed. But, he said, customers have been carrying their food to the beachfront porch for some time.

There will be fewer than the maximum allowed 200 indoor seats. Beachfront picnic tables on the porch will serve about 100 people and the expanded bar will serve about 50 people. It will be one of the largest bars in Manatee County, Casali said.

Eventually members will be served on the roof, enjoying an elevated view of the Gulf of Mexico. And, Casali said, more employees will be needed for the bar and rooftop dining.

Casali said the logistics of running the lodge have “expanded tremendously.” But he believes the improvements will attract new members, plus bring back many of the 550-600 who dropped their memberships during the $700,000 renovation project.

“I believe the membership is going to flourish,” he said.

Casali is not allowed to “advertise” membership fees, but potential members can call 941-778-4110 for information. The lodge is at 110 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach.