EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State University will cease operations of the Brook Lodge corporate retreat center by the end of this year.
Located near Augusta in Kalamazoo County, the center has been another victim of the economy, losing close to $10 million in its nine years of operation.
“While beautifully maintained and well run, the property faces market and amenity challenges that prevent it from being fiscally viable,” said Vennie Gore, MSU’s assistant vice president for housing and food services. “It has been determined that the business plan in its current state is unsustainable. This is purely a business decision.”
Closing is expected to occur by Dec. 31. All contracts through Dec. 31 will be honored. For contracts after that, a venue change or some form of settlement will be agreed upon.
Twenty-two full-time workers are employed at Brook Lodge. MSU Human Resources will be available to work with them to assist in applying for other MSU positions.
MSU accepted the Brook Lodge Center as a gift from the Pharmacia Corp. in July 2000. It comprises 80 acres of developed property, as well as 557 acres of largely undeveloped land.
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