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Progress and Industry Edition Article
“I know that there is a need for this facility,” Pyle said. “We will be able to serve groups from 20 to 700 people. And we are going to make it workable – affordable – for everyone. We already have 60 bookings, which I think demonstrates the need for the hall.” Heartland Hall is the dream of Pyle, her husband Greg and their partners Todd and Sue Roadman. The $2.2 million dollar facility will be able to accommodate three wedding receptions or events at any one time. Heartland Halls’ flexibility will make it a valuable asset to the Bedford Community. Located on 58 rolling acres just north of the Pennsylvania Turnpike on Business Route 220, Heartland Hall will surely be attractive to groups from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh. Pyle's father, Bill Defibaugh, formerly of Detroit, designed the hall. Working with the Small Business Development Center at St. Francis University, Pyle conducted numerous market studies that demonstrated the viability of her business. “We want to make this a special place for future generations,” she said. “Bedford is a beautiful and pleasant place. I wanted Heartland Hall to add to it.” In addition to hosting receptions and parties – which Pyle expects to be the core business – Heartland Hall will accommodate business meetings with high-end amenities. “We have carefully planned this facility so that it can offer world-class services to business and organizations. We think we will be doing a lot of video-conferencing with local school systems, Allegany College, Windber Medical Center, the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Penn State and others. Heartland Hall will be fully equipped to serve a wide variety of distance learning, business training and conferencing needs. The hall will have leading edge lighting and sound systems, as well as computers and other media. Pyle noted that her business is working with local hotels to be able to attract large groups. “We already have agreements for Heartland Hall rates at the Best Western and the Quality Inn,” she said. “We’re working with the Bedford County Players and the Pennsylvania Consort, too.” Heartland Hall will be an elegant place with crystal chandeliers and marble tops. “We are even going to have a heart shaped pond for weddings and parties,” Pyle added. To demonstrate their commitment to the Bedford community, the Heartland Hall partners donated 10 acres of land for youth soccer fields. A Bedford Booster through and through, Pyle is involved with the Bedford County Redevelopment Authority, the Chamber of Commerce board, the Historical Society board and the Bedford County Regional Education Foundation. She hopes the county will be proud to have a facility like Heartland Hall. “I came up with the idea for this place when my husband and I were married, twenty years ago. I love this business. It is so much fun,” she said.
Heartland Hall to Open July 15 The interior decorations are "very elegant," she said, adding that it creates a different atmosphere for the Bedford area. It all begins in the foyer, decorated with Victorian furnishings, where appetizers or cocktails may be served. The front entrance also contains polished tile featuring the Heartland Hall logo in gold scrolling, she said. In addition, there are various rooms that can accommondate small and large parties with seating for more than 700 guests.
The Garden Room contains a bank of windows along the west wall, overlooking the Royal Patio. It also has a granite bar. The Royal Patio provides cascading flowers and plantings. Tents and/or canopies are available for this area, offering the bride and groom an outdoor alternative. For a very large wedding party, the entire Heartland Hall can be opened to take advantage of the space and accommodate more than 700 guests, Pyle said. And that's not all Heartland Hall has to offer the bride and groom. For a unique twist on their wedding, the soon-to-be married couple may choose to get tie the knot "in the Heavens." "We have a six-seater Cessna so they can get married in the air while their guests watch from the patio," Pyle said. And, to make it a night you and your guests won't soon forget take advantage of the "Hearts On Fire" fireworks that can be customized to any event. There have been several people inquiring about the marriage in the air and the fireworks, Pyle said, adding that it's nice to be able to offer those options. So far, more than 70 events have been booked at Heartland Hall, she added. The hall also carries a liquor license and features two kitchens. Although there is no chef on the premises, Pyle said, the hall is open to all caterers. Also, help is available to arrange catering services, she said. A joint venture between Nancy and her husband, Greg Pyle, and Todd and Sue Roadman, Heartland Hall is now booking for weddings, receptions, meetings and other events. For more information, call 623-9950. Photos: Heartland Hall, slated to open July 15, will offer brides something different and "elegant" for their wedding, reception or both. Currently, the interior drywall is nearing completion and the brick outside is almost complete. The interior features several rooms that can accomodate small and large parties. Christi Miller, interior manager/confectionist; Nancy Pyle, president; and Karen Davidson, facility director, discuss the Heartland Hall building project. Miller will be available to create various confections such as pastries, cakes, cookies and pies for parties and other events at the hall. Elegant Victorian Style Furnishings Chosen for Heartland Hall
The Victorian style of chairs and sofas will offer stylish and comfortable seating.
Reprinted
with permission from the Bedford Gazette, May 17, 2004
Now, she's helping to build one. "It made me sad to see people leaving the county to get married in Altoona," said Pyle, a family nurse practitioner who, along with her husband Dr. Greg Pyle, is the creative force behind Heartland Hall, a facility that will be able to seat more than 700 people once it opens next spring. "It's something I've been thinking about for years," said Pyle, who added she's been researching the project for about two years. "This will be very convenient." Greg Pyle's partner, oral surgeon Dr. Randy Patterson, and his wife, along with a silent investor, have joined forces with the Pyles on the $1.8 million project. The four-room banquet hall, which can be used for conferences as well as wedding receptions and other celebrations, will be located near Cessna on a 58-acre piece of property adjacent to the Bedford County Airport. The facility will have Internet access and people renting it out will be permitted to use their own catering service, Pyle said. "When we were doing our research, seeing what customers need, one of the things we found out is that the people in Bedford want to be able to use their own caterer," she said. The Pyles have dubbed the land Heartland Acres because of the one-acre pond shaped like a heart on the property. Pyle said she and her partners also plan to lease what will be known as the Heartland Athletic Field for about $1 a year to the American Youth Soccer Organization. They plan to break ground in September. Pyle, who will serve as director of the facility, said she plans to facilitate a partnership between Heartland Hall and some of the area's other smaller conference halls. "Hopefully, we can coordinate our efforts," she said. "This is something for the community— it's not just entrepreneurship." However, the banquet hall should be economically beneficial to Bedford County as well. Its location near the Bedford County Business Park should contribute to its success, Pyle predicted. "This is a nice community, and I feel bad when businesses move out," she said. As someone who admittedly loves to plan parties and events, Pyle said she's looking forward to the endeavor. "It's something I really do enjoy," she said. "This is something I've always thought about, and I'm really excited to start. I want to break ground tomorrow." Liquor
License Approved
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Heartland Hall, 5564 Business
220, Bedford, PA
 Phone:
814-623-9950 |
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Heartland Hall is a High-tech conference center located in beautiful Bedford County, Pennsylvania. Our banquet facility makes the perfect choice for: Weddings/Receptions, Conferences/Seminars, Bridal Showers, Company/Family Picnics, Theme Parties, Reunions, Concerts/Recitals, Baby Showers, Birthday Parties, Meetings, Anniversary Parties, Theatrical Productions, Graduation, Celebrations, and Fund Raisers. Conveniently located in south-central Pennsylvania with easy access to Altoona, State College, Johnstown, Somerset, Ligionier,and Pittsburgh. Bedford is located about halfway between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh along the Pennsylvania Turnpike. All information provided here is subject to change. Please call for current availability and rates.
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“This is my very expensive hobby,” joked Nancy Pyle, president of the soon-to-open Heartland Hall, a high technology conference center and elegant banquet facility. All kidding aside, Pyle is passionate and dedicated to her mission: Bringing an affordable, state-of-the-art, first-class celebration and meeting center to Bedford.
The area's newest conference center features a one-acre
heart-shaped pond complete with fountain. But, that's not the only unique
feature of the center, said Nancy Pyle, president.
Slated to open July 15, Heartland Hall is billed as a hi-tech conference
center set on 58 acres. And it's a great location for both weddings and
receptions, Pyle said.
The very elegant Crystal Room opens into the Showcase Hall or the Garden
Room, Pyle said. This would allow the wedding to take place in the Crystal
Room and guests can then adjourn to one of the other rooms for the
reception.
The Crystal Room features a five-foot diameter crystal chandelier.
The Showcase Hall provides a full stage, lights and sound system. It can
also accommodate theatrical groups, recitals, bands and DJs for events. In
addition, a granite bar is situated against the far wall. 
