News that the 86-year-old Ridgeway Country Club, the latest victim of the recession, is on the market for $20 million has residents buzzing about what can be done to preserve the property from development.

Apparently, membership in the club in White Plains, which sits on more than 120 acres, has fallen from 250 to 185 families despite a campaign of reduced prices and other incentives to try and attract members. Golf industry professionals say that private clubs in the Lower Hudson Valley are feeling the pinch as the recession takes its toll on Wall Street, as well as other lucrative professions from which such clubs usually draw their members.

Here’s the full story from reporter Keith Edding; and here are a few comments from readers:

Remember a few years ago, there was a movement in creating a central park for White Plains. How about this club? Open it up.

Good idea about the central park, if the city could afford to buy it. I don’t think the money is there, but a central park could be great, and the building would be a great child’s and/or adult day care/senior center/ community group meeting hall. There’s no money, though.

Maybe the county should buy it as the county could use another public course. Housing would be a big mistake. Everyone just hears ‘more tax revenue,’ but it would not cover the added strain on infrastructure and schools.

The City of White Plains should jump on this. A public golf course, pool and catering facility would make this city a more desireable place to live. Rye and several towns in Connecticut have been successfully running municipal facilities like this for years, so there’s no reason White Plains can’t do it. As a long-time resident, I’d certainly support a bond issue to cover the cost.