Once an operational farm that fed the patients and personnel of the Traverse City State Hospital, the renovated Cathedral Barn at Historic Barns Park was the feeding spot for our noon Rotary Club on Tuesday.
With 3,535 square feet of event space, the Cathedral Barn is being touted for its ability to host a variety of social and corporate gatherings.
“It’s a living legacy to our past, present and future,” said Marsha Smith of Rotary Charities, which played a key role in the revitalization of the barns. “This barn and the surrounding grounds are a collaborative effort… partnerships that worked together to accomplish this.”
Allison Metiva of the Community Foundation echoed those thoughts.
“This was accomplished because of the passion, dedication and hard work of various community groups,” she said.
Karen Schmidt, board chair for the group, remembered when the Rotary Club met for lunch at the site “five years and one week ago.”
“At that point,” she said, “this was all just a dream. But Rotary was instrumental in making that dream come true.”
Matt Cowell, Executive Director of the Recreational Authority, said the catalyst for “the dream” was the unique partnership of the City of Traverse City and Garfield Township. They oversaw the development of the 56-acre parcel.
“As soon as the State Hospital closed down in the late 1980s, people wanted to see something like this developed,” he said. “Now we have a beautiful site and the fanciest barn floor in the nation.”
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She comes to us with a long list of qualifications and gifts. Please take a moment over the next few weeks to introduce yourself to Kathy. If you are involved with a committee or are the chair of an event please feel free to take time to connect with Kathy and help her become familiar with the needs and happenings of your committee. 
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Rotary Club of Traverse City