The Dakota Dunes Golf Links is celebrating the grand opening of their new clubhouse and restaurant.

The 3.5 million dollar facility held its official grand opening Thursday morning where several leaders and dignitaries from Whitecap Dakota First Nation gathered to celebrate the new clubhouse.

The Dakota Dunes Board board of directors and several other Whitecap leaders and dignitaries were on hand as the ribbon was cut to the new facility.

The 7,100 square foot two-storey clubhouse features locker rooms, meeting space, a restaurant that can seat up to 80 people and an expanded pro-shop.

Dakota Dunes managers say the new clubhouse is a welcome addition to a golf course that has already been ranked as one of the best in Canada.

“This new building has all the amenities we need to expand our business and provide a more comfortable experience to our members and patrons,” said golf course General Manager Mclaren Taylor.

The Dakota Dunes Golf Links Board Chair and Chief of Whitecap Dakota First Nation Darcy Bear spoke on the benefits of the new clubhouse for Whitecap and the surrounding area.

“The Dakota Dunes Golf Links has been an incredible success for our province and our partners,” said Chief Bear. “This project wouldn’t have been a reality without our partners and they include Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and the Lac la Ronge Indian Band and so together we have put a world class golf course together here in the province and we are certainly proud of it.”

Chief Bear also says their next plan will be to build a hotel near the casino and golf course, but he says an expansion of water and sewer infrastructure will need to come first.

Dakota Dunes board members surround elder Melvin Littlecrow as he cuts the ribbon for the new facility.

The new clubhouse was completed just weeks before this year SIGA Dakota Dunes Open, which takes place later in June.