What the Callaway Resort & Gardens ownership change will mean for employees, amenities
Wednesday’s announcement of ownership change at Callaway Resort & Gardens prompted questions from Ledger-Enquirer readers concerned about what the news means for Harris County’s largest employer (approximately 500 jobs) and thousands of annual visitors to the 2,500 acres in Pine Mountain.
Some answers have emerged.
In emailed replies to the L-E’s questions, here’s a summary of what we learned from Callaway spokeswoman Rachael McConnell about the impact of the new agreement, which transfers ownership of Callaway’s resort assets from the Ida Cason Callaway Foundation to Herschend Enterprises of Peachtree Corners, Georgia.
Will the ownership change cause any employee layoffs or the elimination of vacant job positions?
No, McConnell said. In fact, Callaway is “actively hiring” for a variety of seasonal and full-time positions, she said.
“This is an exciting opportunity for our current employees, who will now have access to exceptional new benefits like free tuition through Herschend’s GROW U program and Share It Forward, Herschend’s employee assistance not-for-profit.”
Which parts of Callaway will Herschend own and the foundation retain?
Herschend, which has managed the property the past two years, will assume ownership of the resort assets at Callaway. Those assets include the lodge, spa, golf courses, beach area and conference center. Herschend also will lease and manage the foundation’s Virginia Hand Callaway Discovery Center, Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, Ida Cason Memorial Chapel and the gardens.
Is there a plan to close the tennis center at Callaway? If yes, why and when?
“Callaway Resort & Gardens is conducting an exciting capital improvement project that includes renovations and facility upgrades across our 2,500-acre property,” McConnell said. “As a result of this effort, our tennis courts and facility will close starting July 22, 2022. Official tennis programming will end on April 21, with the courts open, as a resort guest and resident amenity only through July 21. Updates on renovations and plans for the space will be shared as details are solidified.”
Callaway plans to move the tennis program to a new location and reopen it in 2023, McConnell said.
Because a third party, Texas-based Peter Burwash International, operates the tennis center, no Callaway employees will be affected by the change, she said.
Is there a plan to reopen Callaway’s hotel on Highway 27? If not, why not?
“Mountain Creek Inn closed seasonally in 2020,” McConnell said. “As a result of Covid, it did not reopen in March of that year. It will remain closed.”
The hotel is more than 50 years old.
“Long-range plans are to invest in new accommodations as Callaway Resort & Gardens continues to grow,” she said.
Herschend’s plan to invest $20 million will produce what improvements at Callaway?
The five-year plan includes “renovations and improvements to the resort and additional advancements to its world-class events,” McConnell said. “Renovations to the lodge and cottages area already underway.”
She didn’t provide more specifics.
How much money will Herschend pay the foundation to obtain the resort’s assets?
That information is being kept confidential.
How many visitors did Callaway have in 2021 and so far in 2022, and how do those numbers compare to previous years?
McConnell didn’t share numbers but said, since Herschend started managing the property two years ago, “there has been an increase in visitors to Callaway year-over-year. We credit this growth to introducing new world-class events like Spring Flower Fest and Pumpkins at Callaway and enhancements to visitor favorites like Fantasy in Lights.
“Specifically, we added new drive-through scenes and a walk-through experience for Fantasy in Lights last year. This year, we’re seeing even higher visitor numbers as we continue to invest in resort improvements and special events that celebrate the area’s natural beauty.
“We are off to a strong start to 2022 with solid group bookings in the Lodge and Conference Center. … Attendance continues to grow post-COVID, and we have the highest attendance we have seen in the past several years.”
What other properties does Herschend own?
Herschend, considered the nation’s largest family-owned themed attractions and entertainment company, owns 26 properties, including Dollywood Parks & Resorts, Silver Dollar City and the Harlem Globetrotters, with more than 11,000 employees entertaining more than 14 million guests annually, according to Wednesday’s news release.
This story was originally published April 11, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
