New ownership for Waynesboro Country Club, moving to private membership model

WAYNESBORO - The Waynesboro Golf and Country Club has been acquired by a new company, according to a release sent out Thursday.

River City Collective LLC announced it took over the club as of Jan. 15. River City Collective is the same group trying to revive the former Leggett building in downtown Waynesboro.

"River City Collective will work closely with members and community partners to continue the clubs revitalization efforts along with its transition to a private facility," the release said. "Additional information will be released in early February."

The club will transition to a private, membership-only facility for the clubhouse, golf course, and pool. The rates will be updated, and official rates will be released at a later date. Currently, the club operates in a private-public capacity with a membership of 200 people, not including pool memberships.

The golf course currently offers 18 holes of play, driving range and seasonal swimming pool.

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Background on Waynesboro Country Club

In 2017, the country club was auctioned off. Kenneth Bradley and Jim Critzer purchased the property on Meadowbrook Road for $891,000 as-is.

At that time, Peggy King, president of the Board of Directors for Waynesboro Country Club, said the club was facing a $750,000 plus interest debt through its mortgage company WCC Mortgage LLC.

Bradley's purchase price was expected to cover the deficit the club is facing.

"The club had been in financial trouble back in 2017 but has made positive improvements since then," according to Jacquie Zirkle with River City Collective.

About River City Collective

In 2018, the city of Waynesboro is applied for funding from the Industrial Revitalization Fund for up to $600,000. This is the same type of funding that the old Virginia Metalcrafters building received nearly six years ago.

According to Greg Hitchin, Waynesboro's Economic Development and Tourism director, the city applied for the funds on behalf of Bottom Alley LLC, who own the building at 304 W. Main St. and the building adjacent to it at 320 W. Main St. The fund money was not awarded to Waynesboro. But plans for renovations are in the works through other sources, according to Zirkle.

The building in question used to be a Leggett's department store until it closed in 1993, Hitchin said. After that, a retail store called Cycle – Recycle occupied part of the building until 2007. Since then it has been vacant.

Revitalization efforts could turn the buildings into mixed-use combination of retail and office.

Bottom Alley LLC and River City Collective have the same parent company, but different operating cores, according to Zirkle. Bottom Alley LLC is listed as the owner of the buildings since 2013, according to city records.

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You can reach reporter Laura Peters at lpeters@newsleader.com. Follow her @peterslaura.