west suburban alano

Mission Statement

Meeting space available for
12 Step Groups

Please inquire at the Alano

NEW
Member Access Cards

West Suburban Alano is a non-profit corporation designed for our members to meet and share their experience, strength and hope with each other because of our common concern for people trying to achieve and maintain a life free from the use of alcohol or drugs.

The Alano Club offers the recovering alcoholic a place to go, to take a break and have a cup of coffee with men and women who understand the program and the process of recovery. We come together to find support and to learn about the many other resources available to the recovering alcoholic in our community.

To provide a financially self-sustaining facility that promotes a drug and alcohol free environment of personal and social growth for the individual and family

Alcoholics Anonymous does not finance or lend its name to any outside organization. The Alano Club is an outside organization, separate and distinct from AA, Alanon, or any other 12-step meeting. Each meeting held at the club is conducted by an autonomous group, and each group pays rent to the club to help pay expenses. Membership in the Alano Club is independent of membership in any of the various organizations who use the club’s facilities for their meetings.

Our History

March 1975 – our Founders were members of the Glen Lake Alcoholics Anonymous group which met at the old Glen Lake School. The group had grown from 30 members to 100 members. The Glen Lake School had become too small for this growing AA group.

August 1976 a meeting of seven people from the Glen Lake AA Group and one guest from the Twin Lake Alano discuss the formation of the Society.

Glen Lake Sanitarium location — Outside
Photo 1a

The AA group works with the State of Minnesota, Hennepin County, and the City of Minnetonka to lease the former Administrator’s Home at the Glen Lake Sanitarium. Approval is received and they have a location for the Society.
(Photos 1a and 1b)

Glen Lake Sanitarium location — Inside
Photo 1b

October 1, 1976 – West Suburban Alano Society, Inc. is officially a legally organized Corporation in accordance with the provisions of the Minnesota Non-Profit Corporation Act, Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 317.

1976 – the Society opens their doors and the first meetings of AA and Alanon are held.

1992 – the Society is notified by Hennepin County and City of Minnetonka their lease is terminated because the land is going to be used for the building of a golf course.

14407 Excelsior Boulevard — Rear
Photo 2b

14407 Excelsior Boulevard — Front
Photo 2a

1992 – the Society is able to purchase a building at 14407 Excelsior Boulevard from the City of Minnetonka. The building is remodeled with help from the members and volunteers devoting their time and money.
(photos 2a and 2b)

2006 – the Society is advised their building will be acquired by eminent domain and sold to a private developer for the redevelopment of the Glen Lake area.

November 2007 - the Society's new building is built and reopens with the help of members, volunteers and the community.

A word about the West Suburban Alano Society Inc. and Alano Societies, in general. An AA or Alanon group per se does not engage in administrative matters, except as is absolutely necessary to function and hold meetings. When the size of the group dictates property acquisition and administrative functions become necessary, certain of the members of the AA and Alanon groups who are willing to devote their time and effort form an Alano Society composed of those AA and Alanon members who are willing to pledge their time, talent or money. The Society exists for the benefit of the body of the AA and Alanon members as a whole, and as a separate entity.