The 90-year-old club closed its doors in December 2017, and the city of Beckley, W. Va., has decided to purchase the property, which includes a clubhouse and restaurant, pool, tennis courts, nine-hole golf course and about 60 acres of land, with plans to maintain the acreage as a golf course.
Black Knight Country Club in Beckley, W. Va., after the Beckley City Council decided to purchase the facility, the Charleston, W. Va., MetroNews reported.
As C&RB reported in December 2017, the nearly 90 year-old club, most recently owned by Gov. Jim Justice, closed its doors. The property includes a clubhouse and restaurant, pool, tennis courts, 9-hole golf course and about 60 acres of land, MetroNews reported.
As later reported by C&RB, the City of Beckley expressed interest in buying the property almost immediately after the announcement. But first, an audit had to be completed of all buildings, equipment and infrastructure on site to ensure a purchase would be economically feasible, MetroNews reported.
“We have an obligation obviously to the city residents and taxpayers that we represent to be very responsible circumspect with city funds,” Beckley Mayor Rob Rappold said in a previous interview on MetroNews affiliate WJLS’s “Radio Roundtable”. “So we’re sure not going to embark on anything that doesn’t make good financial sense. The numbers have to be right.”
On March 27, the Beckley City Council held the second reading and a public hearing for the ordinance approving the Beckley Building Commission to purchase the facility for an amount not to exceed $3.5 million through lease revenue bonds. The ordinance passed 8-1 with no public comment, MetroNews reported.
“We’re really excited about it and the support has been overwhelming,” said Rappold. “We have had a few detractors. At least in my office, the calls have been 75-80% positive about saving this iconic structure.”
The property will be added to the city’s list of public spaces. Several plans are already in the works for the newly acquired property, MetroNews reported.
“We’re going to contract with a very successful local caterer to run the food and beverage program,” said Rappold. “We have been talking with local golf course experts who will help us with fertilizing and weed control on the golf course.”
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