After more than 80 years as the summer-camp area for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania, the 119-acre Camp Trees has been sold to a housing developer for $1.45 million.
The buyer is Weaver Master Builders of Mars, according to a deed filed in Allegheny County.
"We plan to develop the property -- to be called the Village at Camp Trees -- with 75 to 85 single-family lots," said owner Bill Weaver.
His company, along with five or six other local home builders, will be involved in the development, Weaver said. At this time, no price range for homes has been established.
The property is off Dorseyville Road in Pine, Allegheny County, and in Adams, Butler County. The deed lists 44 percent of the land in Pine and 56 percent in Adams.
The property has two lakes.
The reasons for the sale are high annual operating costs for nine weeks of summer programs; the investment required to maintain the camp; and the ability to reduce insurance costs, said Mike Hepler, chief executive officer of Boys & Girls Clubs.
"This was a tough decision on the part of our leadership but one that makes sound business sense. ... The cost of maintaining this asset year-round has escalated in recent years due to aging buildings and increasing overhead cost," Hepler said. "After 80 years, Camp Trees has done its job. The facility played a key role in our history."
The Boys & Girls Clubs organization continues to operate a day-camp program on weekdays in the summer in North Park. The program began in 2006, Hepler said.
"In addition, we are hopeful of expanding our summer day camping program to other county parks in the future," he said.
Although its activities are confined to Allegheny County, the club temporarily is handling management of a Boys & Girls Clubs in Indiana County until it can operate by itself, Hepler said.
The organization owns and operates nine buildings in Allegheny County that serve as neighborhood Boys and Girls Clubs, which offer gym and other activities for pre-teens and teens. Some of the facilities may attract youths from neighboring Westmoreland County as members.
Approval of the sale took place at a meeting of the clubs' executive committee June 26. Thomas B. McChesney, a senior vice president of Grubb & Ellis/Pittsburgh, is chairman of the clubs' board of directors and signed the sales document.
