Clear Fork Resort closed

BUTLER – Clear Fork Resort has closed, according to a message on its website.

“We would like to thank everyone for the support and patronage over the last 4¹/₂ years, and we express best wishes to everyone!” the message said.

The resort wrapped up its 2015 ski season the weekend of March 14 and 15 after scheduling a big air competition and St. Patrick’s Day party.

Mud runs initially were advertised on the website for May, June, July, August and September.

The News Journal previously reported that Clear Fork is slated to go up for sheriff’s sale next month after a judge’s order to foreclose on the property to recover nearly $2.5 million in loan debt.

Cache Private Capital Diversified Fund LLC, of Utah, filed for foreclosure, naming Slater Run Land Development LLC as defendant.

Clear Fork Resort, located at 341 Resort Drive, first opened in 1964 and was originally operated as Clear Fork Ski Resort.

In early 2005, it closed before the season normally ended. In late 2006, the property was put up for sale with an asking price of $2.25 million by Resorts Inc.

Slater Run Land Development LLC, of Columbus, became the owner in 2013. Cache helped Slater Run refinance but had not been repaid, according to a foreclosure complaint that said a mortgage was signed in August 2013 that secured the resort property as collateral against the loan.

In late December, Richland County Common Pleas Judge James DeWeese issued a ruling, finding Slater Run Land Development LLC in default.

DeWeese ruled that Cache was owned $2.5 plus interest at the rate of 18 percent annually from Jan. 26, 2014.

On Feb. 13, the judge signed a foreclosure decree allowing the five parcels associated with 341 Resort Drive to be sold at sheriff’s sale, finding Slater Run failed to pay installments due on the note.