TOWNSEND, Tenn. – The new owners of the Dancing Bear, Mark and Sharon Oldham of Nashville, are pleased to announce the start of Phase 1 of rebuilding the Dancing Bear facilities. A groundbreaking ceremony with light refreshments provided is planned for Friday, January 9, 2015 at 10:30 am.

The main structure on the grounds — a lodge with 12 guest rooms, a restaurant, kitchen and offices –burned on Nov. 14, 2013. Since that time, the 32 acres at 137 Apple Valley Way have operated as a cabin rental business because none of those structures were touched by the blaze.

“We were saddened by the fire but thankful that no one was hurt or injured,” Mark Oldham said. “We know that Dancing Bear has been very special to the community and to the guests who have stayed here for many years. We have heard many incredible stories about the day of the fire as well. We wish to put this chapter of Dancing Bear behind us, so we’re excited to start the new year by kicking off the reconstruction.”

He said Phase 1 includes a new restaurant, a new Event Center, a 100 x 50-foot Event Lawn, plus four new cabins representing eight new guest accommodations. The total investment for Phase 1 is over $3 million. He said it will generate 10-15 new jobs in Townsend.

The contractor, Chester Richardson Construction, is slated to begin work on Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Andy Morton is the architect and Cris Angsten is the interior designer for the project. Financing is provided by United Community Bank in Maryville, Tenn.

Phase 2 of the Dancing Bear reconstruction project will include a new mountain Lodge at Dancing Bear. A third phase will include extensive updates of the retail area on US 321 and integration of Apple Valley and Dancing Bear. Once Phase 3 is completed within 5 years, the total investment will be over $10 million.

When the Oldhams purchased Dancing Bear in the fall of 2014, their first priority was upgrading the existing facilities and restoring amenities such as wireless Internet access to the luxury cabins. They also added a complimentary continental breakfast that guests have raved about. Now they are focusing on the next stage of enhancements.

Reservations for the 16 open cabins at Dancing Bear will continue as usual while progress is being made on the grounds by calling (800) 369-0111. Hemlock Hall has been open to private events and meetings but will be closed during construction while a state-of-the-art fitness center also operates next to the Apple Valley Country Store.

This is not the first time the Oldhams have restored a community gem to its past glory. In 2011, extensive renovations began on the 106-year-old StoneFort Inn in downtown Chattanooga, Tenn. They transformed the 16 bed hotel into a cross between a bed and breakfast and a boutique urban inn that combines historic charm with modern amenities. A restaurant inside, Terra Mae Appalachian Bistro, recently marked two years in business, offering regional cuisine with a contemporary twist that has made it one of Chattanooga’s most talked-about restaurants, and it is consistently ranked as one of the Top 10 Restaurants in Chattanooga by TripAdvisor.

The Oldhams hope Townsend residents, local dignitaries and members of the media will join them for the groundbreaking ceremony on Jan. 9 to commemorate a fresh start for the Dancing Bear as it rises from the ashes of tragedy to become better than ever.

To see the architect’s proposed Event Lawn Site Concept for Dancing Bear, visit http://dancingbearlodge.com/img/event_lawn.jpg. For more information about Dancing Bear Cabins, visit http://dancingbearlodge.com/.

For more information, contact Mark Oldham at (615) 390-7134 or email [email protected].