The Northern Center

Our original owner, Mark Edwin Vick, was born November 25, 1951 in West Branch, MI. He was a 1969 Houghton Lake High School graduate, and a lifelong, 71 year resident of Roscommon County. Thru the years he recalled the booming ages of Houghton Lake, when Tip Up Town, The Music Box and The Playhouse attracted national acts and statewide visitors. Over time the area went thru changes, but he envisio

ned a re-birth of sorts. The idea of an event center for weddings, banquets and other events to draw business to town came to mind. Coupled with a family passion for sports and a noticeable void of community space for use, plans to build a multi-purpose facility began to form in the early to mid-2010’s. Ground was broke in 2017, with the banquet center and gymnasium opened in December 2018. When our food and liquor license was approved, it was determined that The Fox Den Restaurant would become an immediate reality. Beginning in May of 2019 we began serving quality meals in a clean comfortable environment, even if it wasn’t a part of the initial plan. While our dining room may not appear as a traditional dining space, other events also use this space. Sitting on 4.5 acres, our property has foot traffic nearly 365 days a year with various activities utilizing all our spaces, making our business model and mission viable. With Mark’s passing in September 2022, his legacy lives on as his tireless efforts will be forever remembered and embraced with each and every visitor who visits us!