 The new Irem Shrine Center and Country Club, in Dallas, opened in May 2009, offering many services to the community. The Irem Shrine, originally founded in 1895 in Wilkes-Barre, established the original clubhouse and golf course in 1923, acquiring three neighboring farms– the Derr Estate, Watkins Farm, and later the Honeywell Farm. Amenities of the property included one of the largest pavilions in Northeast Pennsylvania, an RV park, Gun Club, golf course and restaurant. The Shriners are a branch of Freemasonry, known for their colorful parades and circuses and most especially for their official philanthropy: the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
In 2005, the Irem Shrine partnered with the Masonic Villages of Pennsylvania, comprising five (including Dallas) not-for-profit, continuing-care, retirement communities across the state that serve approximately 2,700 residents in the Commonwealth and provide between $18-19 million in charitable services per year. The Masonic Village at Dallas developed, in 2007, 45 retirement living apartments, available under a rental plan, and 38 single-story villa homes for seniors on the grounds of the Irem Country Club. The master plan for the Masonic Village at Dallas, on the Irem Shrine grounds, allows for up to 305 units to serve seniors in Northeast Pennsylvania.
Together, the Irem Shrine and Masonic Village, owned by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, planned for a brand new Shrine center and clubhouse that would serve the members of the Shrine, the residents of the retirement community, and the public in general.
The 26,868-square-foot building includes locker rooms, a game room, offices, new furnishings, a pub, restaurant, outside patio dining area, and a ballroom capable of serving up to 250 people for weddings, banquets, conferences, and other special events. While the restaurant and pub areas are open to the public, the only restriction is on the purchase of alcohol because the two venues operate under a club license that limits purchasing liquor to club members only. Any catered event, however, such as a wedding or banquet in the ballroom, can contract for full services, including alcohol.
The restaurant and pub are operated by the Masonic Villages and the outdoor pavilion is managed by the Irem Shrine, as is the golf course. All three dining areas are open to the public for dining and rentals. The pavilion (built in 1924) is currently being refurbished and is available for banquets, parties, weddings, concerts, and other events. One of the clubhouse’s most increasingly popular weekly open events is the Sunday morning breakfast buffet.
Ray Tierney, the chief operating officer of Retirement Living for the Masonic Villages and the interim administrator of the Dallas campus, said the Masonic Villages’ partnership with the Irem Shrine is mutually beneficial.
“Masonic Villages have extensive experience in operating retirement communities, which include food services and facility management techniques that are required to operate a clubhouse successfully,” he said.
The Masonic Villages have partnered with various community service providers in the Back Mountain. The Mercy Center is the preferred nursing and personal care provider for Masonic Village residents.
“We have a partnership with Misericordia University to provide educational classes– including healthy aging classes– offered right at the clubhouse. These classes are open to the general public at no cost,” Tierney added.
Residents of the Masonic Village have access to all the university’s facilities, including the swimming pool, library and track area. They are also eligible to take continuing education courses at the university at a significantly reduced cost.
“We’re looking forward to continuing to expand our role and participation in this community,” Tierney concluded.
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