Today we’d like to introduce you to Jane Harvey.
Hi Jane, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My husband Jim, and I have been long-time friends over the decades with a family that originally owned some property with a building on it; within the last two years, we expressed interest if they were ever willing to sell. This property was originally made into a first-class golf driving range with an 18-hole PGA professional putting course put in as well, plans were drawn up to make this an 18-hole golf course as well but that never came to fruition. The building was a pro shop, then later became a cafe, and then an add-on created a charming restaurant.
The restaurant had its troubles and the golfing portion ceased, the building was rented by a catering company for several years and the grounds were all fenced to allow cattle to roam and graze. This is when we purchased it; run down inside and out. We brainstormed as to how we could use the wonderful open space, private parking lot, professional kitchen, and large public restrooms, on top of the large rooms with views that were just breathtaking on every side!
Although initially, we thought to make this a beautiful home for our family, we knew right away we wanted to make this a gathering place for families including weddings, family gatherings, reunions, birthdays, and even funerals: A place to make beautiful memories. A lot of elbow grease and many months later we held our first wedding as we were still laying the wood floor days before it was held. We had help from our own family and friends and tried to do everything we could on our own to save labor and costs! We have since completely revamped the inside while also trying to keep the charm of the original golf areas and their calm feeling.
Inside we have kept the original beautiful woodwork and moldings along with the deep green trim color and outdoor window shades, added a lovely bride’s room below in the lower level, and turned the golf hut into a groom’s room! We love to sit out on the deck and view the Weber River or sit at the tables on the driving range and take in the view. Strolling through the putting course with its bridges and ponds is in the work to be ready in 2023.
We would love to eventually make fresh homemade goodies and serve them right out of our window that once gave out golf balls. We named our place River View Ranch as we have a wonderful view of the winding Weber River right below us!
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been really pretty smooth, the biggest struggles we had were the forrest of overgrown Russian Olive trees, before we even secured the loan and signed papers we had already pulled over 150 of these invasive trees to get ahead. We figured if it didn’t go through then we just did a very good deed for our friends.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Nothing special here! We are a family of creative ideas and sit around the dinner table with ideas popping out constantly. Years ago, I created a clothing idea for children that I wanted to patent, I researched patents and found I was clear, I naively took the finished product to a patent attorney and asked for information on how to patent it.
Within months my idea was on the front section of the newspaper created by another person that had the same patent attorney I had visited, as their attorney, I was pretty crushed and turned my attention to raising our 5 kids always working on new ideas. I went and got my four-year degree at WSU when my kids were also going to college and loved learning.
his new opportunity came at a time where we can now put our creative powers back in use, combined with Jim’s years of running the county Golden Spike Arena, and then on to use his managing skills as Weber County Commissioner, he is the business side and scheduler, we brainstorm together constantly for new ideas on what to add to our community. We love working together.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Caring about people! We want them to know we care about their once-in-a-lifetime or even everyday events that they are so passionate about, and the memories they get to build and keep.
We have made many new dear friends, being a part of their lives for a day! “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care”. That there is our motto.
Contact Info:
- Website: Theriverviewranch.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/theriverviewranch?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
