Mt. Airy’s Commodore Barry Club faces financial woes

The Commodore Barry Club in Mt. Airy has been sent into survival mode after being hit with a substantial change in their building’s assessment value due to recent changes in city tax rates.

This club has been owned by and home to the Irish since 1958 and now, the community is looking to raise $50,000 by the end of the year to keep the center open.

“The initial assessment of the building that was given to us was $3.2 million. That’s what started the crying,'” said the club’s manager, Tom Walsh.

After the initial assessment made by real estate agents, the center decided they wanted to hire their own appraiser.

“The numbers just were not right,” said board member and outreach chairman, Frank Hollingsworth. “The city council had no idea what was going on.”

After a series of appeals and hearings, the center was able to get their building’s value assessment down to $1.2 million.

“That number makes our taxes go up 300 percent, instead of 800 percent,” said Walsh.

Along with the increased city tax rates, the center has been given two years to replace the ‘hood’ in the kitchen to a stainless steal covering as well as other major and minor replacements totaling $25,000.

The club is still taking reservations for weddings, religious and non-religious celebrations, and meetings as usual. 

The club is working towards the significant boost they need to keep the center running. 

To help continue cultural programming and events at the Commodore Barry, the team there has launched PayPal and GoFundMe to assist in the financial crisis. Links can be found on the website. 

Local businesses are pitching in, too.

Maloney’s Pub in Ardmore will be hosting a beef and beer style fundraiser on July 19.

“Summer Dine Out” events, where a portion of proceeds will go towards the club, will be held on Tuesdays in July and August at a number of restaurants throughout the city. A full list can be found here.