FAQ’s
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here you will find common questions and answers about our rental spaces. If you are not finding what you need here, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team, we are always willing to help point you in the correct direction to best answer your question or resolve any concerns you may have.
To secure your rental, you must submit a completed application at the time of submission. If the space you are requesting is available, your application will be processed & a non-refundable deposit of 50% of your total balance will be requested charged via a credit card authorization form. A permit will be emailed to you to confirming your reservation details
As demand for rentals is high, we are unable to offer courtesy holds without deposit.
On Saturdays, Kettering Hall requires a four-hour minimum. There are no other rental minimum requirements.
The Community House offers exceptional rental rates! Please see our rates & capacities chart for rental costs.
Yes! A 15% discount is offered on room rental rates (excluding Saturday rentals) to registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations like ourselves! You will be asked to submit a copy of your IRS tax exempt status letter to qualify for this discount.
The Community House aims to be as flexible with private renters as possible. Cancellations that occur more than 14 days in advance of an event will be offered an alternative date or a full refund, depending on the needs of the renter. Bookings cancelled less than 14 days in advance of an event will be responsible for full payment.
No! The Community House parking lot and adjacent street parking are available free-of-charge.
The Community House opens daily at 7:00 a.m. We recommend starting your event no earlier than 7:30 a.m. so you have time to set-up and prepare. Events/rental time must end no later than 10:30pm and alcohol service must end by 10:00 p.m. The latest your party can conclude is 10:30 p.m. with all patrons departed from the building by 11:00 p.m.
Yes! Monday-Wednesday, the downstairs foyer is available to rent. On Thursday, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the downstairs foyer is included in the rental of Kettering Hall and not available as an independent space.
Yes! You are welcome to bring food into The Community House from an outside restaurant or caterer. If available, please provide a Certificate of Insurance (COI) naming The Community House as additionally insured at least 72 hours in advance of your event.
No! The Community House is happy to provide you with recommendations based on our relationships with trusted event vendors. You are, however, welcome to work with any vendor or caterer of your choice.
Yes! If you wish to serve alcohol at your event, your event will be assessed a $100 alcohol permit fee. BYOB events are not permitted. Bartenders from a certified caterer or staffing company or Illinois BASSET certified individuals are required to dispense alcohol at your event. We need approx. 8 weeks’ notice to process permits to serve alcohol. We will be happy to work with you on additional requirements to remain in compliance with The Community House’s liquor license. See our Alcohol Service Packet for additional information.
Yes! Kitchen must be rented separately. Use of our prep kitchen can be rented for $40/hour. The kitchen includes amenities such as an ice machine, cooking range, countertop space & cold storage. Use of the kitchen is not exclusive and may be rented by more than one group at a time. As our kitchen is not licensed by the Health Department, please note that only fully cooked foods may be warmed and prepared. Raw food cooking is not permitted.
Yes! Complimentary equipment available include 60” round tables, 6’ rectangular tables, card tables, chairs, easels, etc. Audiovisual equipment and coffee service and more are available for an additional rental fee. Please see your application for all available options. We do not provide linens. Feel free to ask if you have additional needs not listed.
All rentals include 30 minutes of set-up and 30 minutes of clean-up time for free. For example, if your rental is from 10:00-12:00 pm., you will be allowed access to the room to set up starting at 9:30 am. and will be asked to clean-up and depart by 12:30 pm. These “buffer times” are also when our staff may be in the room transitioning equipment needs in between bookings. Please consider building in time for balloon arches, hired decorators, Bands/DJ’s, rehearsal time, soft play or game set up, etc. when requesting your rental time. These things should be built into your requested rental time if over 30 minutes. If you anticipate needing more time than what is included, please speak with our Facility Supervisor.
Our goal is to be as accommodating as possible, but with limited storage space, early deliveries are not always possible. Please check with the event coordinator about the availability of storage before confirming outside deliveries (including alcohol) to The Community House. If we are able to accommodate a waiver will be required and there is a $50 fee for storage the day before your event.
Yes! You are welcome to bring table-top and freestanding decorations. We kindly ask you refrain from tacking, screwing or taping anything to The Community House walls. Blue Painters tape may be used. Nothing may be attached to stage curtains, chandeliers or sprinkler heads. Furniture, decorations and artwork in the Community House may not be removed without the approval of TCH staff.
Yes! We kindly request that you refrain from open flames and candelabras (that may drip). Tea lights in votive cups or candles encased in hurricane glass are allowed.
No. For safety reasons we do not allow bouncy houses to be set up in our building. Small ball pits or soft play areas for children are welcome. Fog Machines and Confetti blasters & Confetti sprinkled as décor is not allowed. This may be damaging to our floors and/or extremely hard for our crews to clean-up with our tight turn-around time.
Yes! If you wish to serve alcohol at your event, your event will be assessed a $100 alcohol permit fee. BYOB events are not permitted. Bartenders from a certified caterer or staffing company or Illinois BASSET certified individuals are required to dispense alcohol at your event. We need approx. 8 weeks’ notice to process permits to serve alcohol. We will be happy to work with you on additional requirements to remain in compliance with The Community House’s liquor license. See our Alcohol Service Packet for additional information.
• Complete the Alcohol Agreement Form that will be provided to you with your application.
• Pay the $100 alcohol permit fee that will be included in your event booking.
• Provide a Basset Certification to us 8 weeks before your scheduled event date.
It is a certification we need someone in your party or a bartender to have. It is required as you are serving alcohol. You can hire someone to be a bartender or someone responsible for overseeing the alcohol at your event can be certified.
If you are interested in becoming basset certified, you can obtain a ON PREMISE BASSET certificate online at the link below: https://www.bassetcertification.org/
The Community House’s Facility Supervisor will be happy to work with you on the requirements to remain in compliance with The Community House’s liquor license.
The day of your event is all about the details and we’re here to help you know what you’ll be responsible for, and what we do. Below are examples of what we do:
Provide the set-up and take-up of tables and chairs in accordance to the floor plan submitted.
Provide staff on site to meet, greet and assist you in answering questions and troubleshooting during your rental.
Tents are allowed on the back patio only with prior review and approval from the Facility Supervisor. You must provide details on the tent type, size, and how it will be secured.
