Meriden golf course restaurant wont be repaired until February

Dave Zajac Record-Journal

Violi's restaurant located next to Hunter Golf Club in Meriden, Thursday, November 6, 2014. Repair work continues after a fire occurred there on June 3. City officials are hopeful the restaurant will be fully operational for the next golfing season. | Dave Zajac / Record-Journal

Published: November 7, 2014 | Last Modified: November 9, 2014 11:05PM

By Molly Callahan Record-Journal staff

MERIDEN Though the rebuilding process at Violis Restaurant has been slow while the city and insurance company negotiate a settlement, city officials are hopeful the restaurant will be open by the start of the next golf season.

Business has been limping along after a June 3 arson fire ripped through the outside of the restaurant and into the attic. Violis has been selling hot dogs, hamburgers and sandwiches in a snack stand.

The restaurant is in a city-owned clubhouse at the Hunter Golf Club on Westfield Road. A survey by a structural engineer revealed that there was very little evidence of fire damage ... within the interior of the building, but rather extensive damage to the wood roof-support beams.

City Fire Marshal Steve Trella ruled that the blaze was intentionally set.

City Manager Lawrence J. Kendzior said about three-quarters of the support beams are damaged and need to be replaced, along with a portion of the roof. The heating, ventilating and air-conditioning units, as well as some of the electrical units, also need replacing.

The city manager estimated it will cost more than $1 million to repair the building. He said that the citys insurance company is estimating closer to $850,000.

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Meriden golf course restaurant wont be repaired until February