In the early 1970’s when Big Canoe was being developed by Tom Cousins, a prime piece of land sitting above the shore of newly created Sconti Lake was reserved for a community club and restaurant. Soon a rustic mountain-style building took shape, and over the years the original “Sconti Club” served as the focal point and gathering place for residents, prospective buyers and visitors.
The view of the lake, golf course, and mountains from the wall of windows in the Club was mesmerizing and was what enticed us and so many others to decide to live in this Nature-blessed community. My husband and I spent many wistful hours gazing out those windows when we were considering moving to Big Canoe, and during the time we were building a home after purchasing a lot in 1999.
That Club served the Big Canoe very well for over 30 years until the Community began outgrowing it, and the structure became worn and dated. Plans were in the works to replace the old Club when one stormy afternoon in 2008, a bolt of lightning ignited a fire that burned the aged building to the ground. That said, but fortuitous event escalated the timetable to build a new club on the same site.
In 2010, a fabulous ten million dollar Clubhouse and pub restaurant was completed, with even more huge windows to capture the panoramic views. A few years later, the popularity of sitting outdoors prompted the addition of a massive covered Veranda and fireplace that fills up year-round with diners, musicians, dancers and wedding parties.
A varied menu is offered daily at the Black Bear Pub, and there are specialty buffets prepared most evenings featuring entrees such as prime rib, seafood with pasta, and themed meals to tempt anyone’s taste buds. A sumptuous brunch buffet is served on Sundays. Free musical entertainment is scheduled most weekends on the Veranda. The Sconti Club is an enormously popular venue for weddings and other types of receptions, and for local organization lunches, dinners and special events. The lower level of the Clubhouses the Big Canoe Golf Pro Shop.
