Illini-themed face-lift continues as Oskee's inches toward opening
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URBANA — Oskee's Sports Pub will have a definite orange-and-blue vibe when it opens later this year at Atkins Golf Club.
When that will be is yet to be determined, Atkins general manager Jim Buyze said.
"There's a little bit of a face-lift going on as far as the look, changing from a farm-to-table restaurant into an Illini-themed sports bar," he said.
The pub is working on bringing in decor from some of the same vendors who have worked on suites at State Farm Center, Memorial Stadium and other university athletic facilities in order to create a "U of I athletic facility feel," Buyze said.
Additionally, Oskee's is in the process of applying for its liquor license and food establishment permit.
"We do plan on having some food and beverage service, although the bar and restaurant may not be fully open when we reopen the golf course," Buyze said.
Troon Golf, which has managed golf operations and agronomy at Atkins since the course was donated to the university, is now taking over the food and beverage component as well.
Atkins has worked with university officials and RealFood Hospitality, Strategy & Design, a division of Troon, to create the proper UI atmosphere, theme and logo for the pub, Buyze added.
According to Troon, RealFood developed Oskee's concept, menu and food and beverage programming.
"We just want to be a great place for people to come to a game-day weekend for football in the fall and just a great place to meet with friends and enjoy the atmosphere, enjoy some great food, a couple drinks and just kind of celebrate whatever your relationship is with the university or Central Illinois," Buyze said.
The building is owned by the UI Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. In 2020, The Atkins Group donated the 300-acre golf course and its amenities, formerly known as Stone Creek Golf Club, to DIA. After DIA took ownership of the course, Ryan and Abbie Rogiers had operated the Homegrown farm-to-table restaurant there until the fall of 2023.
