St. Barnabas acquiring Conley, Suncrest courses
PENN TWP — The St. Barnabas Health System will take over and continue to operate two golf courses in the township.
The Gibsonia-based health system, which offers retirement living, rehabilitation and other services, will acquire Conley Resort on Pittsburgh Road and Suncrest Golf Course on Brownsdale Road.
Officials at St. Barnabas said the system is not closing the properties, but will continue to operate them as is. Members of the public and system residents will be able to use them.
The system said the agreement for Suncrest already is taken care of, and the agreement for Conley should be done next week. The terms of the agreements have not been released.
St. Barnabas released no other details, but said the two properties would be operated as “charitable-type” organizations.
Wayne Conley, owner of Conley Resort, reiterated that St. Barnabas is not going to close the resort, but will continue to operate it as is. He said people using the resort will not notice a change.
“It's a merger. It's not going to skip a beat,” Conley said.
He said the health system is looking to “increase their presence in the hospitality industry.”
Conley said the move will be a great deal for his employees, who will have access to better benefits that a large entity like St. Barnabas can offer.
“We think it's good for both (employees and St. Barnabas),” Conley said.He said he will remain around the resort as a consultant.Conley's has 40 to 45 employees now, but Conley said that number increases during the warmer months. It has operated since the early 1970s.It has 18 holes, 56-room hotel, indoor water park and a restaurant.It was not clear if St. Barnabas' acquisition would change the status of the properties from for-profit to nonprofit, which would mean they would be exempt from taxation.If the course's tax status changes, it would impact tax revenue for the township, South Butler School District and the county.Linda Zerfoss, Penn Township manager, said the township has not heard anything concrete about the acquisitions.“Right now, it's just a lot of rumors flying around,” Zerfoss said.She said she did not know how much property tax revenue the two businesses bring into the township.Keith Reddinger, owner of Suncrest Golf Course, could not be reached for comment. The course has operated since 1938.The course has 18 holes and a pavilion.
