Elks Lodge Nearing Collapse Finds Rescue
By: Jeff Preval
Updated: May 9, 2012
BOALSBURG, CENTRE COUNTY - A Centre County fixture that was at risk of financial collapse will stay alive under new ownership.
The State College Elks Lodge and Country Club in Boalsburg has been bought by a Pennsylvania company that operates a State College hotel.
Before now, there was talk of the State College Elks Club perhaps, shutting down. The club is now owned by Brymac, which operates the Ramada in State College.
According to a deed, Brymac took over control in mid-April. Some members say they were told about the sale a week ago.
The country club sold for $2 million. This decision ends years of uncertainty about the future of the property. Brymac, Inc., based in Bethlehem, Pa. bought the property, which has about 150 acres of land.
"The club's been struggling lately to make ends meet, but I think it's positive especially if you get an investor that is willing to make the capital improvements to the facility and to bring it up to date," said Chris Exarchos, a Centre County commissioner and an Elks member.
The Elks Club was at risk of closing because of the economy. Now, the new owner pledges to fix the clubhouse and golf course for it's 1,600 members. The deals is just the latest in the State College golf industry that's undergone change. In 2010, Toftrees Golf Resort and Conference Center asked a national hotel chain to manage its golf operations.
"It's nice to see that they got the capital they needed," said Tom Katancik, the director of golf at the resort, "It wasn't too long after the hospitality industry and a lot of other things kind of hit bottom and in 2008, it was a very proactive step to address that."
Experts say the Elks deal may bring new money in because it will allow non-members to play there. Brymac has agreed to keep the course outline and membership fees unchanged for 15 years.
Another golf course near State College in Port Matilda has had to make some business decisions to stay afloat is Skytop Mountain Golf Club, which used to be Freestone.
The State College Elks Lodge and Country Club in Boalsburg has been bought by a Pennsylvania company that operates a State College hotel.
Before now, there was talk of the State College Elks Club perhaps, shutting down. The club is now owned by Brymac, which operates the Ramada in State College.
According to a deed, Brymac took over control in mid-April. Some members say they were told about the sale a week ago.
The country club sold for $2 million. This decision ends years of uncertainty about the future of the property. Brymac, Inc., based in Bethlehem, Pa. bought the property, which has about 150 acres of land.
"The club's been struggling lately to make ends meet, but I think it's positive especially if you get an investor that is willing to make the capital improvements to the facility and to bring it up to date," said Chris Exarchos, a Centre County commissioner and an Elks member.
The Elks Club was at risk of closing because of the economy. Now, the new owner pledges to fix the clubhouse and golf course for it's 1,600 members. The deals is just the latest in the State College golf industry that's undergone change. In 2010, Toftrees Golf Resort and Conference Center asked a national hotel chain to manage its golf operations.
"It's nice to see that they got the capital they needed," said Tom Katancik, the director of golf at the resort, "It wasn't too long after the hospitality industry and a lot of other things kind of hit bottom and in 2008, it was a very proactive step to address that."
Experts say the Elks deal may bring new money in because it will allow non-members to play there. Brymac has agreed to keep the course outline and membership fees unchanged for 15 years.
Another golf course near State College in Port Matilda has had to make some business decisions to stay afloat is Skytop Mountain Golf Club, which used to be Freestone.
