State and community leaders joined friends, family and staff of The Inn at Evins Mill on the eve of their 19th year of operation for a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the beginning of construction on The Solstice, a 6,000 square foot luxury lodge.Located at the highest elevation of the property, The Solstice will feature private rooms and expansive suites, including a three-bedroom penthouse condominium with its own kitchen, dining and living spaces.Hidden among a canopy of poplar, hickory and cedar trees, The Solstice remains convenient to all the amenities of the resort's main facility, including fine dining, a full bar, event spaces, conference rooms and recreational activities.With eight total bedrooms, The Solstice will increase the resort's total number of rooms from 12 to 20, allowing it to host larger corporate and special events and accommodate higher occupancy demands during its peak seasons.After the groundbreaking ceremony, guests were invited to the Main Lodge for a reception with light hors d'oeuvres prepared by Executive Chef Jason Evans.Waymon Hale Construction will be in charge of the project, which is slated to be completed by May, 2014.Attendees included owner William Cochran, Waymon Hale of Waymon Hale Construction, Evins Mill Executive Chef Jason Evans, State Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver, County Mayor Mike Foster, Smithville Mayor Jimmy Poss, DTC Communications CEO Craig Gates, Brenda Cantrell of FirstBank, and Chamber Director Suzanne Williams.The Inn at Evins Mill is located at 1535 Evins Mill Road. For more information about Evins Mill, you can email William Cochran at william@evinsmill.com, or call 615.286.2090.