When Darin Boyles had a chance to purchase the original Cass County courts building in downtown Cassopolis, he jumped at the chance.

Boyles, of Edwardsburg, had a vision of providing the Village of Cassopolis something it was in need of — an events center.

So he took what was basically a shell of a building and turned it into the Turtle Lodge Event Venue, which sits across the street from the historic Cass County Courthouse on North Broadway.

Boyles is a landscaper by trade, but he also buys property to restore and rent.

The Turtle Lodge was built in 1860 and used as a courts building. In the early 1900s it was a laundry before becoming a Masonic Temple.

It was at that time that the Masons added the large banquet-style room onto the back of the building.

Boyles has fully restored the building using reclaimed items and vintage pieces from all over the country.

He added a 30-foot tall stone fireplace, panoramic windows with stained-glass panes from a church and vintage-style lighting. There is also a dry bar, light show equipment, dance area, event stage, food staging area and a prayer-healing garden.

“Over the years, I watched the building and it sat vacant,” Boyles said. “I went and talked to the county and ended up buying it from the county because the previous owner had stripped it down to the walls. They had taken antiques and the woodwork. It was stripped down to just the bricks.

“I got it from the county and I had a vision because I am an architect as well. I envisioned what it would look like when we restored it to the best of our ability. We did a little bit here and a little bit there and it took about a year to do the downstairs.”

So how did he come up with the name?

“It is named the Turtle Lodge because I name all my properties turtle something,” he said. “I am half Native American and half Irish. I am a huge nature and animal advocate. So, it is part of who I am and I thought that would be a fitting name for it.”

Boyles also envisioned using the facility mainly for non-profit events such as community functions and potlucks. “Eventually we are going to do a free movie night, bingo and things like that.”

The Turtle Lodge is currently the home of the community potlucks every third Sunday of the month.

It will host the Christmas potluck on Dec. 21 beginning at 3 p.m. There will be food, music, dancing and karaoke.

The Turtle Lodge will also host its first New Year’s Eve celebration on Dec. 31.

The event will have free snacks and drinks, karaoke, dancing and more. Those who attend must be 21 years old and identification is required.

“I wanted it to be a feel good, positive building and it really has turned out to be that,” Boyles said.

The Turtle Lodge can also be used for weddings, receptions, holiday parties, reunions and graduations.

For those looking to rent the facility, call Boyles at (574) 302-0997.