The former summer camp operated by St. Vincent de Paul for nearly 90 years has been sold. (Courtesy of St. Vincent de Paul)

A local company has purchased the former summer camp operated for nearly 90 years by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Eagle Associates of Niagara Frontier Inc., based in Lancaster, closed on the sale April 6. Terms were not disclosed. Plans for the property will be announced at a later date.

The 15-acre property, located at 8462 Lake Shore Road in Angola, welcomed nearly 50,000 young people, mostly from Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Lockport, during the summer months before closing in August 2016 because of declining camper participation.

Youngsters between the ages of 8 and 13 were given the opportunity to interact with other children in a pleasant, stress-free environment. Campers came from urban locales and were given the chance to learn about nature, experience the shoreline and Great Lakes environment, and enjoy the opportunity to make new friends. The camp includes 1,200 feet of lakefront, eight cabins for lodging, a dining hall, recreation hall and an in-ground swimming pool.

"We are very pleased to have found a buyer we believe will put the property to good use while respecting the history of its role in our organization's service to the Western New York community," said Mark E. Zirnheld, the society's CEO and executive director. "Proceeds from the sale will be used to further the good works of the society."

The camp property was once part of the Bennett Homestead and was operated as a resort, beginning in the early 1900s until it was purchased by the society in 1933. The camp program was established in response to the needs of children at that time. With limited social assistance, members of the society established the camp to bring children together in the out of doors with fresh air and plenty of good food. This effort continued through the Great Depression of the 1930s and World War II until 2016.