Shriners see positive impact with Collegian Court purchase

Aug. 3, 2022 | Matt Conway
mconway@thereminder.com

The Collegian Court will become the new Western Mass. headqarters for Melha Shriners.
Reminder Publishing photo by Matt Conway

CHICOPEE – The closing of Collegian Court on June 17 marked the end of one of Chicopee Center’s beloved dinning and banquet centers. For Melha Shriners, the 89 Park St. location represents a new beginning after purchasing the property for their Western Mass. headquarters.

Owner of Collegian Court Bill Stetson said he was not considering selling the property until an inquiry from Shriners came his way.

“A friend of mine who is a realtor said, ‘I got somebody interested in buying the place and they are a customer as well’…I thought about it for a few days and I said, ‘you know what, I wouldn’t mind talking to them,’” said Stetson in an interview with Reminder Publishing.

Stenson eventually agreed to Shriners proposition, ultimately viewing the decision as a positive for Chicopee.

“Chicopee matters a lot to me…I felt like with so many restaurants closing up, bringing the Shriners in is not a net loss for the city…I think it’s going to be a really good fit, and that mattered to me because this place wasn’t for sale,” said Stetson.

Melha Shriners is a part of Shriners International, which includes thousands of clubs across seven countries. They currently operate a Western Mass. headquarters in Agawam at 270 Main St. That said, the new Chicopee location will become Melha Shriners’ new local headquarters.

Chairman of Marketing and Communication for Melha Shriners Michael White said the Chicopee Center location was not on the organization’s radar initially as they searched for possible locations.

“The Chicopee location was not on the original radar at first. We had been looking for properties over the last three or four years across Western Mass.…it was kind of like it was a meant to be situation,” said White in an interview with Reminder Publishing.

White explained that a key of any Melha Shriners operation is to imbue a positive impact upon the communities they enter.

“We always like to make sure wherever we go, we make a positive impact and people appreciate what it is we do and bring to the community,” said White.
White shared that the two sides are finalizing the legality of the purchase. He envisions the location to be up in running “in some form” by early September. However, some parts of the transition will take more time to complete.

“I don’t think everything will be completed. It’s probably going to take a year or so until a lot of the other changes can happen. There are some exterior changes and some landscaping improvements, but obviously those will have to wait until spring or summer of next year,” said White.

Every decision made in the renovation process receives approval from the organization’s vast membership.

“Everyone has an opportunity to participate,” said White.

Ultimately, White envisions Melha Shriners enacting a “positive and productive” presence in Chicopee.

“We want everyone to know we took searching for our home very seriously. We wanted some place where we felt comfortable…We’re going to do everything we can to make ourselves a positive and productive neighbor and provide whatever services the community feels are important for us to participate with them,” said White.

Readers can learn more about Melha Shriners at https://melhashriners.org/.

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