Organizations who have used Mountain Valley Golf Course banquet and golf facilities reacted with surprise and sorrow to the company’s announcement that it is closing.
Nativity BVM High School has its annual Golden Cross Society Century Benefit banquet, its Christmas and Junior-Senior proms and reunions at Mountain Valley. The school has also held golf tournaments at the facility.
“Mountain Valley Golf Course has been a cornerstone of our community and an asset to Nativity High School for many years,” principal Michael Grabowski said. “While we are saddened to see Mountain Valley close,” he said, “we are deeply grateful for the role they played in supporting generations of Nativity students.”
Mountain Valley notified Nativity that its Century Benefit on April 25, Junior-Senior prom on May 15 and golf tournament on Sept. 6 will be held as scheduled. The Christmas prom, however, will not be held at Mountain Valley.
Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce events through October will be held as scheduled, CEO and president Robert S. Carl Jr. said.
Carl understands the reality of a business environment where land with access to an interstate highway is in great demand.
Mountain Valley has access to I-81 at Mahanoy City, a short distance away, along a corridor that has attracted warehouses and data centers and has an airport increasingly used by business executives.
“Land is going for exorbitant prices,” Carl said, “and there are times when the land is worth more than the business.”
Carl learned of the development at a chamber event at Mountain Valley last week, and subsequently spoke with Steve Cotlur by phone.
“He called me on Friday and said, ‘Bob, I feel horrible that this is the way we are going’,” said Carl, who assured Cotlur that he understood.
“This was his baby, he’s no hands-off owner,” said Carl, noting Kotler would park cars and work golf tournaments at times. “He not only believed in what he built there, but he wanted it to be the very best.”
Helping Harvest Chair of the Board of Directors Jeanne Porter kicks off the night at the Helping Harvest second annual Celebration of Community and Hope in the banquet area at Mountain Valley Golf Course on Thursday, April 24, 2025. (FILE)
Mountain Valley has met or exceeded the Chamber’s expectations in many events over many years, Carl said.
The chamber’s annual luncheon on May 1, its golf tournament on July 10 and its annual awards banquet on Oct. 15 will come off as scheduled. All of these events draw 250 to 300 people.
It’s going to be difficult to find a venue that can accommodate that many people and offer a menu with four selections, including vegetarian, and served in less than a half-hour, Carl said.
Possibilities include St. Nicholas Hall in Primrose, Orwigsburg Community Veterans Memorial Hall, Arrow Studio & Events in Pottsville, Penn State Schuylkill campus and The Miners 1928 Hotel under development in the former Miners National Bank in Pottsville.
One of the qualifiers, however, is that the facility has to be a Chamber of Commerce member.
“Everybody is torn,” Carl said, “but we understand why Mountain Valley had to make that difficult decision.”
Darlene J. Robbins, Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturer and Employers Association president, praised Mountain Valley for a more than 25-year relationship.
The staff has provided exceptional high-quality service to the association’s clients, she said.
“Mountain Valley’s closing marks an end of a meaningful relationship with our organization and its members,” said Robbins. “Mountain Valley, I wish you continued success in whatever you do, and thank you for all you have done for me.”