There could well be a transformation of the Emporia Community Club beginning soon.
Dynamic Discs founder Jeremy Rusco has been in the process of buying the property at 1801 Rural from the Community Club. He outlined confirmed the sale is complete as part of KVOE’s Newsmaker segment Thursday, saying the property’s rich history was an attraction for him.
Terms have not been divulged.
Rusco had submitted a bid for what was then known as the Emporia Country Club in late 2022, but club leadership gave unanimous approval for the Community Club’s vision instead, which relied on making the club more accessible to the public at large through traditional ball golf and by opening the facilities up for business meetings, community events, birthday parties, weddings and other activities. However, the Community Club dealt with several hurdles, including deferred maintenance costs, staffing issues, and lower-than-expected use of the restaurant. Membership dropped last year, and explorations into other sustainability options indicated a costly approach with no guarantee of community or leadership support for a finished plan.
The Community Club’s original golf course was finished in 1915 after the charter was approved in 1911 and the clubhouse was built in 1912. Besides a 9-hole golf course and clubhouse, the Community Club currently consists of a disc golf course, dining facilities and banquet rooms and an outdoor swimming pool. The Reeble Park pickleball complex west of the clubhouse is on city property.
Rusco says disc golf and ball golf will be part of the picture, although the amount of traffic at the Emporia Golf Course may mean some new changes at the Community Club.
More pickleball activities, including the possibility of indoor events, are being considered. Rusco is also in discussions with Halfway 2 Everywhere Inc founder Hank Osterhout about upcoming activities. Rusco also says a name change is coming as a way to offer a more welcoming atmosphere.
Rusco has a meet-and-greet, Q&A session with Community Club members and the public at large at 7 pm Thursday.
7:40 am Thursday: Rusco purchase of Emporia Community Club now complete
Jeremy Rusco has big plans for the Emporia Community Club.
The Dynamic Discs founder outlined his tentative plans on KVOE’s Newsmaker segment Thursday before he has a meet-and-greet, Q&A session with Community Club members at 7 pm Thursday.
Rusco confirmed the purchase is complete after it was announced as in progress this past weekend. Terms have not been released.
This is a developing story. Stay with KVOE and KVOE.com for updates.
