Weaver, AL – The City of Weaver has officially sold Angel Lake, also known as Buckhorn Lake, to local entrepreneurs Brooke and Steven Lee, owners of the NoAlan Event Center. The sale was finalized earlier this week after a public bidding process, where the Lees were the sole bidders. Though their initial bid was below expectations, the Lees successfully negotiated a final purchase price with the city, paving the way for the acquisition of the lake property.Mayor Jeff Clendenning provided insight into the process at a recent city council meeting, explaining, “I remember from other city council meetings you all did an open bid, and we only had one bid on it. They were too low initially, but we were able to negotiate a price that worked for everyone.” The sale was part of the city’s effort to divest itself of the property, which is now in private hands.
Brooke and Steven Lee are no strangers to Weaver’s business community. In addition to operating the NoAlan Event Center, they now also own the lake and surrounding property. “Yes, we own NoAlan, and as of Tuesday, we also own Angel Lake. This is a significant step for us, and we’re excited about the opportunities it brings,” Steven Lee said.
The couple’s business ventures go beyond the event center. They are working with other local businesses that operate on their property, all of which will contribute to Weaver’s tax base and economy. These businesses include:
- Graceful Glow Esthetics, offering relaxing skincare and beauty treatments.
- Josh Frantz Photography, where Josh specializes in sports photography, videography, and photography services for events like weddings, family photos, and professional portraits.
- Absolute Wellness Spa, a local massage therapy business focused on healing and relaxation.
- Marshall Chavez Agency – Goosehead Insurance, providing personalized insurance solutions for individuals and businesses.
- Steven Lee, Realtor with SmallTown Real Estate, helping clients buy, sell, and invest in properties throughout the area.
- Meat Your Match, a new food venture coming soon that is led by a local chef who plans to offer to-go meals for event-goers and the surrounding community. The Chef plans to operate a permanent kitchen at the venue, offering food to event-goers instead of relying on a food truck. This new culinary addition will provide another layer to the experience for those attending events at NoAlan Event Center and beyond.
Despite their positive intentions, the transition of Angel Lake to private ownership has been fraught with challenges. The change has sparked concerns and confusion among residents who had enjoyed the lake as public property for years. Many of them, accustomed to open access, have voiced frustrations about being shut out now that the property is privately owned. The Lees, however, were quick to explain that their decision to restrict access was not driven by hostility but by necessary precautions.
The road to private ownership of Angel Lake has not been smooth. In addition to the public pushback, the Lees have encountered significant difficulties with property damage, liability concerns, and the complexities of managing multiple businesses on a shared property.
One of the main obstacles has been the ongoing confusion over property lines. Since the lake was previously owned by the city, many people continued to treat it as public land, walking through the area, fishing, and even climbing on the pavilion. This caused problems when people would leave trash or damage property, sometimes even during events that the Lees were hosting. “We would have events booked, and we’d show up to find trash, food wrappers, and other debris left behind in areas that were not supposed to be accessed,” said Brooke Lee. “One time, we even saw a child walking on the railing by the lake, and we were terrified they might fall in.”
This lack of respect for private property and its boundaries led to several frustrations. The Lees have also had to deal with the fallout from people disregarding the venue’s restrictions, such as damaging fans under the pavilion. “We’ve had to replace every single fan in that pavilion because they were broken, likely due to people who weren’t respecting the property,” Steven Lee added. “We’ve held back from investing more because we were concerned about further damage happening at random times.”
Additionally, the property has suffered from incidents of vandalism and trespassing. Bathroom doors have been kicked in, chains cut, and security cameras tampered with, among other things. The Lees have taken measures to deter such activity, installing new security cameras and increasing signage to reinforce the lake’s private status.
The Lees are keenly aware of the liability issues associated with water-related accidents. After consulting with their insurance provider, they were advised to limit public access to the lake. “If we keep the lake open to the public, it opens us up to potential liability, especially with water and the risks involved,” Brooke Lee explained. “We can only allow people who are using the property for events to access the lake.”
The Lees are also working closely with local authorities, including Weaver Police Chief Wayne Bush, to ensure that their property is secure and that trespassing and damage are kept to a minimum. “We’ve been in close contact with the chief to make sure we’re following the right protocols for blocking off access to certain areas,” Steven Lee shared. “We’ve posted signs, and now with the added security cameras, we are hoping to prevent any more issues.”
Despite these challenges, the Lees remain committed to their vision for Angel Lake and the surrounding property. They are dedicated to transforming the area into a thriving, scenic venue that benefits both their business and the Weaver community. The couple plans to install a fountain in the lake, improve the landscaping, and ensure the property is a beautiful, functional space for events like weddings, proms, and family gatherings.
“We want to create a space where people can celebrate special moments, but we need to ensure that it is safe and respected,” Steven Lee said. “We’ve put a lot of money into this property—both to buy it and to improve it—and we want to make sure that our investments are protected.”
Brooke and Steven Lee stated that they prayed extensively over the initial purchase of the building as well as the lake. Ultimately, the Lees are invested in Weaver’s growth and success. As business owners within the city limits, they have expressed a deep desire to contribute to the local economy. “We want to be part of Weaver’s future,” Brooke Lee said. “This isn’t just about running a business; we want to give back to the community and provide a place where people can create lasting memories.”
For anyone interested in booking an event with NoAlan Event Center, they can find more information on Facebook, visit the website at thenoalan.com, or contact the main line at (256) 365-8786.
As they continue to make improvements to the property, the Lees are hopeful that the community will respect the changes and embrace the new chapter for Angel Lake. “We didn’t create the situation; we just bought property that was available for anyone to purchase,” Steven Lee said. “We’ve paid our taxes, made our investments, and now we’re hoping people will understand that this is no longer public land.”
The sale of Angel Lake marks a new era for the property, one that brings new opportunities, responsibilities, and challenges. The Lees are determined to make the most of it, with plans to continue enhancing the venue and ensuring that it serves as a beautiful, safe, and thriving space for the Weaver community.
