Cranwell Sold For $18 Million

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The resort's sale was completed on Wednesday, according to land records.

LENOX, Mass. — Cranwell Spa and Golf Resort was sold Wednesday to CampGroup LLC. and L.D. Buildings for $18 million.
 
The resort will now be managed by Hay Creek Hotels, a New England hotel management company. GampGroup owns a number of local properties including Camp Winadu and Camp Danbee and L.D. Builders has developed local properties including The Pines at Bousquet and Lenox Woods. 
 
"With camps in operation in the Berkshires collectively for over 300 years and hundreds of camper families who have enjoyed staying at Cranwell over the past 40 years, we have long admired Cranwell's position of prominence in the community and are thrilled to be a part of such an important Berkshires establishment," Andrew Benerofe, CampGroup chairman, said in a statement released Thursday.
 
"We plan to elevate the already outstanding guest experience and enhance the resort's position as a destination."
 
The historic property has been a landmark in the Berkshires and features 114 hotel rooms, an 18-hole golf course, three restaurants, a banquet hall and large spa. The company hosts not only visitors but also conferences, weddings and other large scale events. The property expands some 380 acres. It has been owned by Berkshire Cranwell Limited Partnership since 1993 and operated by Dan and Carol Burack.
 
"We're very proud of our accomplishments and the community relationships we've established over the years," said Dan Burack.  "We plan to continue our involvement with the vital cultural institutions, including Carol's work on the boards of Barrington Stage Company and Jacob's Pillow.  We're especially pleased that the new ownership has also had strong ties to the Berkshires for many years and will continue to be stewards of this premier New England resort."
 
J.D. Builders plans to expand Cranwell's offerings. The company specializes in buying and developing properties throughout Massachusetts. The company has previously built and managed numerous condominium complexes.
 
"As local builders we are committed to making living, working and playing in the Berkshires more enjoyable," said Dave Ward, L.D. Builders president. "We have a hands-on family approach and plan to bring our careful attention to detail to upgrading and enhancing Cranwell's historic facilities."
 
CampGroup is based in White Plains, N.Y., and operates a number of summer caps. The company owns 16 camps in New England. They also operate retreat locations and off-season camp rentals for conferences and events. 
 
 Hay Creek Hotels is based in Westport, Conn., as a management company for various hotels in New England.
 
"The Buracks created a family atmosphere for both the employees and the guests that we intend to continue. We recognize the importance of valued employees to provide superior service and inspire an exceptional experience for our guests. The current employees at Cranwell are a key ingredient to the resort's success and we look forward to working with Carl Pratt, general manager, and his whole team," said Norm MacLeod, Hay Creek Hotels, president and CEO.

Tags: commercial purchase/sale,   

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Pittsfield Council Takes Up $243M Fiscal 2027 Budget

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mayor Peter Marchetti detailed the city's $243 million spending plan during the first budget hearing of the season on Tuesday. 

The proposed operating budget for Pittsfield in fiscal year 2027 is $232,782,090, a 2.9 percent increase from this year. Marchetti compared that to hikes in fixed costs: a 9 percent increase in health insurance, a 7 percent increase in debt service, and more than a 5 percent increase in retirement contributions. 

"We needed to make reductions in other places," he explained. 

The total proposed budget is $243,234,868. It breaks down into $145,927,029 for the municipal operating budget, $86,855,061 for the schools, and $10,452,778 for proposed state assessments and overlay. 

To balance the budget, the administration will not fill several vacant positions, is funding police social workers and co-responders through opioid settlement funds, and reduces the library's Thursday hours. 

"Probably one of our most painful cuts that we have produced: The overall [Department of Public Services] budget has been reduced by $738,000 from fiscal year 26 to 27, with a reduction of five positions that are currently vacant, have been vacant for some time, and we believe the reason that those positions are vacant is based on our salaries," Marchetti explained. 

"So once we are able to successfully negotiate a contract with the teamsters, we will be back looking to be able to fund these positions from a later appropriation. It is not our intent to let them go vacant all year, but it's impossible to budget when we know we can't fill them, and we don't know what salary at this current stage to use." 

The budget includes $2 million in free cash to offset the tax rate, $19,791,219 from water & sewer enterprise funds, $81,959,322 from state aid ($68,855,061 in Chapter 70 School Aid), and $15,388,750 in local receipts. 

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