…only because I’m here at the place and looking around at things to spend money on if I owned it.
When I arrived mid-week, I didn’t see another guest. Lots of staff. No paying customers save for one pastor who is appreciatively discounted. No complaints from me.
Lifeway announced earlier this year that they were going to sell the conference center. The virus has caused all conferences here to be cancelled. Normally, the place would be crawling with students attending events. As it is, only a few families are here for getaways. We’re all masked up.
Lifeway said the center was profitable but one supposes they despaired over capital improvements that would be necessary for the place to be attractive to paying customers.
I look around and see roads on the steep terrain that will need repair or replacement, 1950-1970s buildings that are unappealing, and deferred maintenance items without number.
I love the place but I wouldn’t want to figure out a way to make it work in the third decade of the 21st century.
Met a couple last evening who captured the dilemma of the place. They volunteered that they met here in 1970 and were back for a memory tour. Memories don’t pay the bills.
But, as long as Lifeway hangs on, I will come and stay.
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Photo is the nice pond above the deteriorated tennis courts. Should have brought my fishing pole.
I loved Glorieta. I went with our youth twice, back in the 1990s when my daughter was a teen. I remember it fondly. Looks like Ridgecrest will also be a fond memory soon. Sad.
“Ridgecrest Conference scares me”
Add that to the group of phrases I never thought I would hear or see but yet now I have.
In 50 years has there been no Capital Improvements. If they were making money some of it should have been used for Capital Improvements.
No capital improvements other than the two five story hotel buildings and many others? You should get out more.
Does Ridgecrest have non-LifeWay owned buildings like Glorieta had? Glorieta had buildings owned by churches, associations, and private individuals – all on leased land.
May have in the past. I noticed that some had been demolished.
Glorieta Conference Center was given away for a dollar. Churches, associations, and private individuals that owned cabins & homes there lost that property. Does Ridgecrest also have a lot of non-LifeWay owned buildings?
Is a local church libel for spreading virus?