A beautiful acre-sized property located in a small village outside the bustling, touristy towns of Fergus and Elora has been reborn. A historic schoolhouse from 1861, unused for over 20 years, has found new life as Skol House – an innovative live music and event space that also serves as a fine art gallery.
Jeff Wilde and Noah Klar, co-owners of Skol House, purchased the property in March last year. Since then, they have embarked on an ambitious journey to fully restore the building and re-brand it without losing the structure's iconic character.
"The name Skol House came naturally. Skol is a word that means cheers and is reminiscent of the building's schoolhouse origins," explained Wilde. "The building also reminds us of a Viking longhouse – hence, Skol House seemed a fitting and upbeat name for this gathering place."
Their vision for the property extends beyond just restoration. They plan on turning it into a high-end live music venue, complete with a finely customized acoustic setup and a lobby bar area. The outdoor area, currently hosting all events, will continue to complement the indoor venue, making Skol House an all-year-round musical oasis.
"It's totally in progress. It has been since day one since we bought the place," Wilde said, elaborating on the restoration project. "We had to get past some remediation hurdles. Now we're dealing with architects, engineers, heritage permits and laying out our final vision."
Wilde and Klar’s backgrounds in music have shaped Skol House's focus on providing a quality auditory experience. Despite being in the middle of a restoration, Skol House hosted a successful show outdoors on Canada Day last year and has been running a music series throughout this summer.
"Every Saturday, we have two to three bands playing," Wilde said. "We're aiming for a micro-festival kind of vibe with vendors and a beer garden set up."
The series features handpicked local Ontario acts. Despite the less-than-ideal weather this summer, the series is almost halfway through, and future shows are already booked, showing the increasing popularity of this unique venue.
"Everything operates outside right now," Wilde explained. "We built a stage and have a serious PA system. We're really focused on sound quality."
Skol House offers more than just great music. It provides a refreshing escape.
"On a weekend, it's a great option to get out of Fergus and Elora. It's just five minutes down the road, a breath of fresh air," said Wilde.
Visitors can enjoy a micro-festival atmosphere with multiple food vendors, vintage vendors, washroom facilities, and a licensed, fenced-in area. The lake can be seen from one corner of the property, adding to the picturesque charm.
"We have vendors that are doing some really family-focused activities," Wilde added. "Right now, it's a come one, come all situation."
For those considering attending a show, tickets are priced at $22 per show, with a minimum of two acts performing, ranging from three to nine hours of entertainment and fun.
While Skol House is already making its mark as a unique outdoor venue, Wilde noted that full restoration of the building and the opening of the indoor venue is still about three years away.
The owners are looking towards an exciting future filled with music, art and communal cheers at Skol House. Enjoy a distinctive and refreshing musical experience in the heart of central Wellington today by purchasing your tickets today online here.