By Billie J Olson
From a former gymnastics facility to a premier community hub, the Shonkin Event Center at 901 9th St N is breathing new life into Great Falls. The journey began in 2017 when owners Dan and Alicia Bateman purchased the building. After housing a successful gymnastics center for several years, the space became vacant, leaving them with a choice: find a new tenant or build something of their own. Alicia has always wanted to run an event center, Dan explains. I told her if it didn’t rent by the time we finished renovating, we’d start one. It never rented, so here we are, much to her delight.
That can-do Montana spirit is built into the very walls of the Shonkin Event Center. Dan brings a farm kid work ethic to the venue, often found personally hauling beams from the sawmill or hanging custom chandeliers until his lift battery dies. It is this dedication to the way of the farmers life, with a bit of barbed wire and baling twine philosophy, that ensures every event, from roller derby bouts to corporate beef producer training, is handled with personal care.
The Bateman’s commitment to a wide gamut of needs makes it the perfect partner for other local favorites, including Alicia’s food truck, Stuff’d International Cuisine. Known for serving a vibrant array of global flavors like gyros, crepes, and savory protein bowls, Stuff’d International Cuisine brings the same creative, get-it-done energy to the Great Falls food scene that Dan and Alicia bring to their renovations. Whether you are booking a wedding or a corporate seminar, the Shonkin Event Center provides the space, while local gems like Stuff’d offer the international flair to make any gathering unforgettable.
While the goal is to book out a year in advance with regular annual clients, the Shonkin Event Center still has plenty of openings for the upcoming season. Call Dan at 406-403-8462 to schedule a time to see the Shonkin Event Center.