A popular public golf resort in Armstrong County has been sold for $2.5 million and is on its way to becoming a center for mental health and wellness.
The Inn at Lenape Heights Event Center & Golf Resort in Manor Township was sold on Jan. 31 to 950 Golf Course Road LLC.
Rob Samuels, co-owner of 950 Golf Course Road LLC, confirmed that the resort will close later this month and will no longer be open for golf or events.
The venue will be the Lenape Wellness Center, a short-term mental health and wellness facility.
Previously owned by Cross Country Equity LLC, the property included an 18-hole course, restaurant, bar and event center, as well as 20 hotel rooms.
Samuels said Friday that Lenape Golf Resort employees were fired by Cross Country Equity after the sale.
“We bought real estate. We didn’t buy a business because it was losing money,” Mr. Samuels said in a telephone interview from Palm Beach County, Florida.
Attempts to reach Cross County Equity were unsuccessful.
The sale and closure of the resort resulted in the cancellation of numerous scheduled events, including multiple wedding receptions and a Leechburg area high school prom.
Samuels stressed that those who booked the event will receive refunds in the mail in the coming weeks.
Five of the laid-off Lenape employees were rehired by 950 Golf Course Road LLC.
“Starting today, we started making calls. We will be collecting everyone’s deposits, former employees will be back to work and making phone calls, and everyone will be getting their deposits back for events. ” he said.
Refunds will also be provided to golfers with prepaid annual golf memberships.
John Kaiser of North Apollo has been running a golf league in Lenape since 1990, he said. When he retired in 2012, he was playing this course three times a week.
“This was like a second home to me,” Kaiser said. “I’m really devastated, as is everyone else in the league.”
Kaiser said 70 people participated in the league last year.
He said he plans to move the league to another golf course in the area, but “it’s not going to be the same.”
Mr Samuels said the previous owners’ decision to sell the resort should not be held against them. This property has been on the market for about a year.
“These are good people who worked hard to make this business successful, and we’ve helped people get their money back,” Samuels said. “This property needs to be repurposed in an area that needs decent jobs.”
To avoid upsetting people who have booked events, Samuels said the new owners are offering to use the venue’s grounds if customers wish to convert to an outdoor event. The building will be under renovation.
“If they can’t find a better option, we will provide a place for them to get married,” he said.
Bride Cabaye Barron, of Johnstown, said she was shocked to receive an email from Lenape wedding coordinator Melissa Harmon on Thursday informing her that the resort was closed and that she could no longer reserve a wedding venue.
Barron said: “I am completely devastated to hear this news four months before my wedding date.”
Bride-to-be Megan Keibler of Washington Township said she drove to the resort Wednesday night after getting no response to her emails and phone calls.
“I just had a pit in my stomach that something was wrong, but it was the right decision,” said Keibler, a 2007 Kiski Regional High School graduate.
Keebler noticed a small paper notice taped to the entrance door. “We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but the resort, including the golf course, bar and restaurant, banquet facilities, and hotel, is temporarily closed.” We hope to be able to reopen soon. thank you. “
Keibler’s wedding is May 4th.
“I cried. I thought I was having a panic attack,” she said. “We’re hoping to get our money back. Now all the extra expenses like redoing invitations are gone. The venues we’re considering cost even more. A few more. It could cost a thousand dollars. We’re still married.”
Keebler said he owes $6,700.
“This is just a nightmare. I never thought something like this would happen. I thought the tears were over,” she said. “I feel like they knew, and I wish they knew. Sales don’t happen overnight.”
Baron is also looking for another venue that can accommodate more than 170 guests.
The Lenape Wellness Center is expected to open later this year, and Samuels said the new business is in the process of applying for the appropriate state licenses.
“We retained approximately five employees to assist in our transition to a larger employer that employs approximately 25 full-time employees,” Samuels said.
“Nothing will be public anymore. We will be good for the community, good employers and good for our neighbors.”
Joyce Hunts is a TribLive reporter covering the Are Kiski Valley. A native of Charleston, South Carolina, she graduated from the University of South Carolina. Contact her at jhanz@triblive.com.
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