LIGONIER —
Fans of Laurel Mountain Ski Resort who planned to strap on skis this winter for a run down the state’s steepest slope will be disappointed once again.
“(The renovation project) is definitely moving ahead. But for the people hoping to ski there this year, it’s never going to happen,” said Terry Brady, state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources spokesman.
“A lot of people who skied there in the early years are disappointed.”
Things looked good for the on-again, off-again resort in 2008 when Seven Springs Mountain Resort completed the purchase of Laurel Mountain’s ski assets from Somerset Trust Co.
The bank had acquired the resort’s assets in 2004 through foreclosure on a $1 million loan taken out by former owner George Mowl and his partnership. The bank action came months after DCNR, which owns the resort’s land, terminated its lease with Mowl, a Pittsburgh businessman.
With the resort now having been closed for the past five winters, DCNR and Seven Springs administrators had hoped that a project to revive the neglected ski area would be completed in time for the slopes to open this year.
But that’s not happening.
Brady said the state has allocated $6.5 million for the project, which will include additional water storage for snowmaking, improvements to snow-making infrastructure, a new or refurbished lift, slope grading work, electrical upgrades and possibly a new tubing park.
Brady said $1.5 million has been set aside for a preliminary study, which is under way.
The project should go out to bid for construction in the summer.
“The money is committed. It’s a go,” Brady said, though he admitted the project is about six months behind schedule.
“Construction should begin in 2011, so we’re almost resigned that there will not be skiing until the 2011-12 season,” he said.
Because of the venture’s size and scope, Brady said, the state Department of General Services is overseeing the project.
“With two departments, things turn slowly,” he said.
Seven Springs administrators remain optimistic.
“The DCNR is a great professional team to work with and we look forward to the bid process, subsequent construction and the revival of Laurel Mountain as a vibrant ski area,” said Anna Weltz, Seven Springs spokeswoman.
Local News
Related Photos
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The sign at the entrance of Laurel Mountain Ski Resort. Dave Lloyd
Discussion
No skiing this winter at Laurel Mountain
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