The Kitsap Conference Center in Bremerton’s Harborside had barely opened its doors but some events are already being booked for 2005 and 2006. For this year, the interest in space rental has exceeded expectations.

The Kitsap Sports Awards Banquet was the first event after the grand opening, and the rest of the year has everything from intimate breakfast gatherings and reunions to county meetings, holiday parties and investment conferences. One such event is the Centennial Celebration being planned by all the area’s Rotary Clubs. The event will be held on February 23, Rotary International’s 100th anniversary.

“Many bookings are from the Seattle side,” said general manager Eric Ruud. “People are happy to bring events back to Kitsap.”

Ruud would not elaborate on specific bookings or whether these are groups who are moving their events to Harborside from other past venues. But officials with the city of Bremerton, which built and owns the 10,000-square-foot conference center, have said the facility fills a needed niche.

Events for 200 to 400 people are the perfect fit for the center, Ruud said. But anyone with receptions for 10 to 750 people or sit-down dinners for 360-550 will find the location attractive, especially with its sweeping views of the water and state-of-the-art features.

At least one competitor is not upset about the new neighbor. The Admiral Theater in downtown Bremerton, popular for wedding receptions, school proms and other events, will likely see increased business, general manager Brian Johnson said.

The Admiral, which has been renting space since 1997, can accommodate up to 300 people for a sit-down dinner and larger groups for receptions.

“For us it’s a positive situation because they’ll bring in some conferences that we will benefit from as well,” Johnson said. So far, Admiral’s bookings are as strong as before. December weekends are full and other high-demand months are staying busy.

The conference and meeting facilities business has been impacted in the last couple of years by the downturn of the economy, when many corporations pressed for money did away with company parties and other gatherings. Event planners saw not only a dwindle in demand but also a drastic reduction in the number of months for advance bookings.

Ruud said while many planners may still only think three to six months ahead, the Conference Center is seeing inquiries for one and two years ahead. Whether that’s due to the economy rebound or the fact that Kitsap is becoming noticed is likely speculation. But many local business leaders believe having first-class facilities such as the new Kitsap Conference Center in the end will benefit everybody by bringing more visitors and business to the are.