George's Ballroom may open in fall

Site may host

wedding dances,

private benefits

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Contrary to rumors, George's Ballroom won't be hosting a wedding dance this weekend.

Building owner Randy Danielson of Arlington said that if current plans materialize, the ballroom could be available to rent for wedding dances and private benefit events by this fall.

He does not plan to book weekend bands for public dances as was done at the ballroom decades ago. But the name will remain George's under his ownership.

Brown County seized the property a couple years ago to pay $98,000 in past due taxes. Danielson made the only bid for the ballroom at a county auction last year and bought it for the minimum amount of $1,000.

Danielson's purchase probably saved the building from demolition.

The structure includes three bars, a bowling alley, raised stage, 90x90 dance floor with terrazzo marble underneath, and upstairs apartments.

Danielson, who farms, builds houses and owns a small construction firm, was working on the ballroom Monday afternoon.

During an escorted tour, Danielson detailed his progress to date on the building. In the ballroom, fans and huge, colored, indirect lights on the ceiling and walls bring life to a space specifically made for dancing the night away.

The raised stage -- on which chairs for musicians sit empty -- evoked images of polka bands playing, and dozens of wooden booths, still in relatively good shape, seemed to be waiting for dancers to take a break.

Wood was stacked in a large pile on one side of the ballroom. Some wallpaper was stripped off the walls.

Danielson has repaired parts of the roof and roof drains that were clogged with leaves and algae.

The roof over the bowling alley will need to be replaced, Danielson said.

He plans to work on the plumbing and heating in the building himself.

Danielson plans to restore and/or repaint much of the ballroom interior to its original decor.

He was told it would cost more than $400,000 to replace air conditioning units. However, he recently bought air conditioning units still under warranty and new glass blocks for much less at an auction.

Steam heat problems were repaired by replacing four broken elbow pipes.