By Doug La Rocque
After years of struggling to find a way to financially survive, members of the Hoosick Falls Country Club voted Monday evening, October 15, to put the iconic institution up for sale. According to Club President Penny Acree, despite having one of its better seasons this summer, with both public participation and membership numbers up, they just could not make enough money to pay the past due tax bill. The club owes $78,000 as of the end of September, and that debt climbs by one percent a month in interest and penalties. Coupled with the fact that Rensselaer County does not allow partial payment of back taxes, club members decided it was time to pursue a sale.
Their hope is that by putting up the For Sale sign now, they may be able to head off foreclosure and sell the venue to someone who would continue to run it as a country club. Ms. Acree calls the whole scenario “disappointing” and indicated the final straw was the inability to find someone to operate the on-premise restaurant, an additional revenue source for the club. An agreement to re-open the eatery this spring fell through because of a family illness on the part of the potential operator.
The Country Club is a non-profit, which means there are some hoops to be jumped through before the sale process can officially begin. Ms. Acree says they are talking to an attorney to help guide them through that process. The club remains open for now.