By Michael S. Hoey
Correspondent
The building that housed Geneva Lakes Kennel Club will be demolished in early April, said Mayor Mel Nieuwenhuis.
The building has been vacant since the greyhound track closed in April 2006. The greyhound track had operated at the site since May 1990.
Nieuwenhuis said last week that NRB Land of McHenry, Ill., has decided to demolish the building to better market the property. The company had been looking for a buyer who could reuse the structure but maintain the buildings is costly. Nieuwenhuis said at least two people help maintain the building.
“The dog track building has been a white elephant since it closed,” Nieuwenhuis said. “They have exhausted every resource in finding a use for the building. They have done their due diligence.”
He said the building has been a deterrent to some parties that have been interested in the property because they don’t want to have to pay to tear it down. NRB has one party looking at part of the property now, though Nieuwenhuis could not reveal any details about who that party is or how much of the property they are interested in.
A representative for NRB Land could not be reached for comment. Public Works Director and Building Inspector Fred Walling said NRB has not yet filed an application for the demolition and no firm timeline for the project is known.
