TELLICO VILLAGE, Tenn. — Update (9/7/22)
Tellico Village released some updates and long-term plans as it continues to recover after a fire destroyed the popular Tanasi Clubhouse on Aug. 27.
According to a release, crews added fencing around the entire former clubhouse site for safety reasons and along the lake to keep soot and debris from getting into the water.
It said all Tanasi food service staff are now working out of the Yacht Club and asked people to support the staff at this site, which has courtesy docks for people arriving by boat. It also created a Tanasi favorites menu for lunch and Sunday brunch.
The golf shop operations and snack bar are set up and operating effectively out of the Tanasi Turn Shack, according to the release. Golf carts are being stored at Public Works roughly 1/2 miles away and being shuttled by Village volunteers.
The release said the Board put together a Tanasi Project Implementation Team with the Property Owner Association (POA) staff and board members to work with Long Range Planning on a rebuilding plan.
Tellico Village said the outpouring of support from the community "has been incredible," and it will keep property owners updated "every step of the way."
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, according to a release.
Original Story
A fire destroyed a popular golf destination's clubhouse around 4:44 p.m. on Saturday, according to the Loudon County Sheriff's Office.
Tanasi Country Club's main building caught fire and is a total loss, according to fire officials on the scene. The fire, believed to have started in the kitchen, spread quickly and engulfed the entire property, the LCSO said.
A quick evacuation of the premises is credited to no injuries.
"At this time we are investigating the fire and believe it to be a result of a kitchen fire," said Chief Deputy Jimmy Davis. "While the building is a total loss, we are thankful that all those inside were evacuated quickly and no loss of life occurred."
Several different local fire agencies responded to the fire to assist Tellico Village Fire Department, said LCSO.
The Tanasi Golf Club will remain open for players. The course is "almost perfect" despite the fire, a Tanasi Golf representative told 10News.
On Monday, a Tanasi Golf representative said that Tellico Village has begun its recovery efforts. The golf team is using the starter shack to operate the golf operations as well as food service. The golf carts were saved and staff came in Sunday to inspect and clean them.
"Most important, nobody lost their life, nobody was hurt," said Tellico Village golf director Christopher Sykes. "Obviously, we got some emotional damage, but as a whole, everybody's safe and sound and we're moving forward and we're going to keep everybody busy and engaged and make sure they're taken care of."
The fire didn't damage the golf course and community members hit the course as soon as they could. Tellico Village estimates rebuilding could take about 18 months to 2 years.
For now, Sykes said their members are able to hang out in their other clubhouses. They are also preparing to move the Tanasi Clubhouse's food service to the Tellico Village Yacht Club soon.
"It speaks volumes what this golf community, the golf resources our staff here can pull together in such a crisis and make sure the the the residents are taken care of and golf in the next day," Becky Rieger, Tellico Community member said.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.