Saying ‘I do’ at The Gates on Roblin

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This article was published 22/09/2014 (4055 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Ray Louie is happy when tears are shed and rings exchanged at The Gates on Roblin.
The co-owner of this unique facility, located on 7.5 acres at 6945 Roblin Blvd. just within the RM of Headingley’s southeastern boundary, aims to be the premiere wedding destination in the Winnipeg area.

“This is what pays the bills,” he said, adding about 40 per cent of the company’s total
business arises from weddings.

And prospective brides and grooms hould take note he’s now taking reservations for 2016 weddings.

Originally from Calgary, Louie has worked for years in the hospitality industry. This has given him the ability to know how to serve clients and address problems effectively. He’s proud to display a wall of photos provided by some of the couples who have held their weddings at The Gates.

He and his partner took over the restaurant and meeting facility in August 2006. Once a cottage owned by Sir Timothy Eaton, and a mink farm, the house had been renovated and expanded under a few owners.

Louie recalled hosting a wedding within two weeks of reopening, and the scramble that ensued. Since that time, improvements were made to the outdoor area with new gardens and an 8,000-square-foot ballroom being constructed. The ballroom is fully equipped for audio-visual needs, and has its own kitchen so food can be prepared and served quickly. A wide wooden deck wraps around three sides of the building, offering a view of the Assiniboine River, with plenty of space to accommodate outdoor celebrations.

While the buildings and gardens offer scenic locations for indoor and outdoor weddings, what really impressed bride Kristin Valcourt, who was married there in August, were the extra touches offered.

“The staff took care of everything,” she said.

She added that catering manager Dale Yuel even sent her digital photos of the decorated banquet room early in the morning of her wedding day, and this helped to relieve her pre-wedding jitters.

 

 

A paddock for heavy horses Gunner and Ace is what visitors see first after turning into the long driveway.

Valcourt said she loved the combination of rural and urban that’s part of The Gates.

“It was a mix of the city and country. I loved it from day one,” she said.

The main building includes a restaurant, lounge, banquet room and two upstairs meeting rooms. Louie said, although the space is divided by walls, it can be used in a flexible matter depending on the size of a wedding party, anniversary or birthday dinner, company event or business meeting, among other uses.

Louie recalls his busiest day ever when The Gates held six weddings on what many considered to be a lucky date: July 7, 2007.

“It was absolute insanity,” he said.

Although at the time, some of the newly married couples weren’t too happy about having to share the space with other wedding parties, memories of their big day have since mellowed.
Louie said he recently recognized one of those couples who had returned to The Gates to dine out on their seventh anniversary. That’s the type of repeat business he wants to cultivate. Happy brides and grooms and their guests are likely to spread positive words about their experiences.

“That to me is success,” Louie said.

While he plans to continue making improvements to foster the company’s wedding business, the restaurant accounts for close to half of The Gates’ annual revenue. Open daily for lunch and dinner, The Gates also features a Sunday brunch that’s grown in popularity.

Gunner and Ace are put into service on Sundays, with wagon rides offered for brunch guests.
Catering also makes up a portion of their business. “We cater breakfast, lunch and dinner,” he said.

He and The Gates staff are willing to take their show on the road, and have been hired to cater at prestigious private functions as far away as Lake of the Woods. Last week they were helping with the food at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights’ opening.

In addition to making sure his guests are happy, Louie knows the importance of good staff morale.

“It’s one of those places where staff call it home,” he said.

More information on The Gates is available at www.thegatesonroblin.com