Member Events & Private Gatherings

Bring People Together at The Franklin Club

The Franklin Club offers members a unique setting to bring together family, friends, colleagues and guests for private gatherings, celebrations, meetings and group experiences throughout the year.

Set across 200 acres of private grounds, the Club combines exceptional fishing, dining, overnight accommodations and outdoor recreation in one memorable setting. Members can host everything from a relaxed family lunch to a full day of fishing, dining and time outdoors, creating an experience that feels personal, welcoming and distinctly Franklin Club.

For more than a century, the Club has been a place where people gather around the water, around the table and outdoors. Member events continue that tradition by giving members the opportunity to share the Club with the people who matter to them.

The Perfect Setting for a Gathering

More Than a Traditional Event Venue

An event at The Franklin Club is about more than reserving a room or gathering around a table. The Club itself becomes part of the experience.

Members and their guests enjoy a private natural setting surrounded by forest, trails and water, with access to many of the amenities that make the Club special throughout the year. A gathering can include a meal in the Clubhouse, time on Franklin Lake, a guided fishing experience, an overnight stay, camping, use of the Private Lounge or Meeting Room, or a combination of Club amenities.

The result is an event that feels relaxed, personal and connected to the outdoors.

The Club is especially well suited to gatherings where members want to spend meaningful time together rather than simply move through a formal event schedule. There is room to fish, dine, explore, stay overnight and enjoy the property at a comfortable pace.

From milestone celebrations to business gatherings, The Franklin Club provides a distinctive setting close to the GTA while still offering the feeling of a true country retreat.

A wide-angle perspective of the clubhouse dining hall showing dining tables positioned near large windows.
A scenic view of the back patio and deck area of the clubhouse surrounded by grass and trees.

Events at The Franklin Club

Gather, Celebrate, Educate & Spend Time Together

Members host a wide range of private events and group experiences at the Club. The property, Clubhouse and outdoor amenities provide options for both social and professional gatherings.

Events may include:

  • Weddings & Wedding Celebrations
  • Birthday Celebrations
  • Anniversary Celebrations
  • Retirement Parties
  • Milestone Celebrations
  • Family Gatherings
  • Friends & Family Get-Togethers
  • Private Lunches & Dinners
  • Business & Corporate Meetings
  • Team & Staff Events
  • Client Appreciation Events
  • Tournaments & Competitions
  • Fishing Gatherings & Outings
  • Club & Community Functions

Each gathering benefits from the character of the Club itself. Guests are welcomed into an environment built around fishing, outdoor recreation, hospitality and time spent together.

An indoor educational presentation inside the clubhouse lounge, with guests seated in armchairs listening to a speaker near a wooden podium.

Make the Club Part of the Event

Create an Experience Beyond the Gathering

One of the greatest advantages of hosting an event at The Franklin Club is the ability to incorporate Club amenities directly into the day.

Fishing remains at the heart of the Franklin Club experience. Members may include fishing as part of their group event, giving guests an opportunity to spend time on the water and experience one of the Club’s defining traditions. Club Pro half-day and full-day experiences are also available for groups looking for additional instruction or a more guided fishing experience.

Our dining and meals adds another important part of the day. Members may include lunch or dinner as part of their gathering and enjoy the hospitality of the Clubhouse in a relaxed private setting.

The Meeting Room and Private Lounge provide dedicated spaces for groups looking to gather indoors, hold a meeting or spend time together away from the main Club areas.

For events extending beyond the day, overnight accommodations allow members and guests to stay at the Club. Camping is also available, with three traditional campsites offering another way to turn a gathering into a longer outdoor experience.

Hero's on the Mend Event, view of club members and guests.
A large group of club members and guests posing for a group portrait on the wooden steps outside the main lodge on a sunny day.

During the winter months, Party Ice Hut bookings add a seasonal dimension to group events and provide members with another way to share the Club during the ice fishing season. BBQ rentals are also available for outdoor gatherings. These amenities allow members to build an event around the people attending rather than around a conventional venue format. Fishing, dining, overnight stays and outdoor recreation become part of the occasion.

Private Events for Members & Their Guests

Member events at The Franklin Club are hosted by Club members for their invited guests. The hosting member must be present during the event and is responsible for making guests aware of the appropriate Club rules. Members are also responsible for their guests while on the property and for any damages or additional expenses incurred during the event.

Advance planning helps the Club coordinate the spaces, dining requirements, activities and staffing associated with larger gatherings.

For larger functions, the Club may also apply additional charges for setup, cleanup or additional staffing and administration. The current Group Application Form notes a charge of $60 per hour where additional setup or cleanup is required. Events involving alcohol supplied to guests or attendees require the appropriate Special Occasion Permit (S.O.P.).

Planning Your Group Event

Event Application Form

Members planning a gathering of 9 or more individuals are required to complete the Franklin Club Group Application Form and submit it to the Club for approval. The form provides the Club with the information needed to review the event and coordinate the appropriate amenities and services.

A wide-angle perspective of the clubhouse dining hall showing dining tables positioned near large windows.

Indoor dining functions are limited to a maximum of 30 individuals. Members organizing a group larger than 30 should contact the Club directly to discuss the event and available arrangements.

A group photo of four smiling men standing together inside the clubhouse during a fly-tying instructional event.

Members are asked to provide:

  • Total number of guests
  • Event date or dates
  • Lunch requirements
  • Dinner requirements
  • Overnight accommodations
  • Fishing requirements
  • Meeting Room or Private Lounge use
  • Name and type of event
  • BBQ rental requirements
  • Party Ice Hut booking
  • Club Pro half-day or full-day booking
  • Campground site preference
  • Additional event requirements
  • Member name and membership number
  • Contact information

The form also allows members to indicate the expected number of guests for each activity and day of the week, helping the Club coordinate the event accurately.

A graphic illustration of a colorful fly fishing lure with blue, orange, and black feathers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Events at The Franklin Club

From guest access and amenities to planning timelines and event options, find answers to some of the most common questions about hosting an event at The Franklin Club.

1. How far in advance should I begin planning an event at The Franklin Club?

Members are encouraged to begin planning as early as possible, particularly for larger gatherings, popular weekends or events requiring dining, overnight accommodations or multiple Club amenities. Early planning gives the Club more opportunity to coordinate the appropriate spaces, staffing and activities for your group.

2. Can I combine several Club amenities into one event?

Yes. One of the advantages of hosting an event at The Franklin Club is the ability to bring different parts of the Club experience together. An event may include dining, fishing, a Club Pro experience, use of the Private Lounge or Meeting Room, overnight accommodations, camping, BBQ facilities or seasonal activities, subject to availability and approval.

3. Can I bring guests who are not members of The Franklin Club?

Yes. Member-hosted events provide an opportunity to invite family, friends, colleagues and other guests to experience the Club. The hosting member must be present and is responsible for their guests and for ensuring applicable Club rules are followed throughout the event.

4. Can The Franklin Club accommodate both indoor and outdoor events?

The Club offers a combination of indoor gathering spaces and extensive outdoor surroundings across the property. Depending on the event, members may incorporate the Clubhouse, Private Lounge, Meeting Room, dining areas and outdoor amenities into their plans. Specific arrangements are based on the size and requirements of the gathering.

5. Can fishing be organized for guests who have little or no previous experience?

Yes. Fishing can be an excellent addition to a member event, including for guests who are new to the sport. Club Pro half-day and full-day experiences may be requested to provide additional guidance and instruction while introducing guests to the Franklin Club fishing experience.

6. Can we host a fishing tournament or other competition at the Club?

Members may request tournaments, competitions and organized group fishing events. Details such as the number of participants, event format, fishing requirements and any additional facilities needed should be included with the Group Application so the Club can review and coordinate the event appropriately.

7. Can an event extend into an overnight or weekend gathering?

Yes. Overnight accommodations and camping provide members with the opportunity to extend an event beyond a single afternoon or evening. This can work particularly well for family gatherings, fishing events, celebrations, corporate groups and other occasions where members and guests want more time to enjoy the property.

8. What dining options are available for private events?

Lunch and dinner can be incorporated into member events and group gatherings. Dining requirements, expected guest numbers and preferred dates should be included in the Group Application so the Club can plan accordingly. Indoor dining functions are generally limited to a maximum of 30 people, with larger groups requiring further discussion with the Club.

9. Are there additional requirements for serving alcohol at a private event?

Events involving alcohol supplied to guests may require a Special Occasion Permit (S.O.P.). Members should identify their plans when submitting the Group Application so the appropriate requirements can be reviewed before the event.

10. What information should I have ready before submitting a Group Application?

Members should have a preferred event date, approximate number of guests and a general idea of how they would like to use the Club. The application allows you to identify dining requirements, fishing, accommodations, Meeting Room or Private Lounge use, BBQ rental, Party Ice Hut bookings, Club Pro experiences, camping and other event needs. Providing these details helps the Club understand the full scope of the gathering and coordinate it effectively.

Friends of The Franklin Club

The Franklin Club is proud to connect with businesses, organizations and clubs that share our passion for fishing, conservation and the outdoors. These valued relationships help strengthen our community and create new opportunities to connect, support and grow together.

Ready to Visit or Need More Info?

Contact Us Today.

Come see The Franklin Club for yourself and explore the grounds, fishing, and amenities firsthand. If you have any questions before your visit, please give us a call at (905) 473-1469

We look forward to welcoming you soon!