Damage visible on the back side of the Salemtowne clubhouse following an early morning fire on Friday, July 16, 2021 (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter)
It could be several months before the fitness center at Salemtowne Golf Club is restored following a fire in the early hours of Friday morning.
The 55 and older community located at 2900 Oakcrest Drive N.W. had a suspicious three-alarm fire which caused about $300,000 in damage, Salem fire officials said.
Tom Mahon, chair of the board of directors at Salemtowne, said as of Friday morning the entire building aside from the golf course was shut down.
The Salemtowne clubhouse following an early morning fire on Friday, July 16, 2021 (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter)
Following an emergency board meeting Friday morning, Mahon said they’re planning to pay for 24-hour security.
He said once the electricity is turned back on the woodshop, crafts room, pool and other facilities should be back in operation in a few days.
Mahon said the historic 1880s farmhouse had some damage, but it should be repairable.
He explained that one part of the wing is the original Wallace farmhouse, the namesake of Wallace Road in west Salem.
The firemen pulled down some ceiling in a few parts but that’s repairable, Mahon said.
No one was injured and no houses were damaged, he said.
“The damage was limited. This was significant but it hasn’t totally shut us down and destroyed the facility,” Mahon said.
Damage visible on the east side of the Salemtowne clubhouse following a fire on Friday, July 16, 2021 (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter)
-Saphara Harrell
