You have a prime example of what a private business can do without the constraints of government or bureaucracy, snowsmith, at your home slopes. Look at what Buncher did to HV (a ski area and a golf course) in less than one year with way more infrastructure to upgrade. So much for needing time to examine "how to do it right". They did it right and continue to build on it.

Again, give the $$$ directly to 7S, with some state oversight, and I guarantee that they will get way more right with way more improvements instead of leaving the bureaucrats at the state in charge of dolling out money to contractors who have no ski area development experience.

Leo, you weren't cryptic, just very perceptive. Could it be that LValleyGirl really is... nah, there I go again being conspiratorial. See you on Lower Wildcat in December, 2016, I hope.

This is great news for anyone who loves Laurel. I hope 7 Springs can make this work. Since the place has been sitting for so long without anything going on major work needs to be done before it can open. Some improvments to look for are, 100% snowmaking, adding new trails(maybe the goat), and new lifts. They need to add lodging but the only place that could really happen is at Laurel Village, so dont look for that for a while. Hope to see everyone on Lower during 2011-2012!

Would it be too much to ask of the DCNR to post the lease on their website, since, after all, it is the people of Pennsylvania's state park, not the DCNR's? I'd be curious what penalties 7S would incur if they broke the lease, if any. Also, when does the lease start? Is it effective immediately or when the ski area reopens? Wouldn't it be nice if they placed online the master plan for the upgrade to Laurel (what improvements, who's doing what, what 7S is contributing both fiscally and oversight, etc.)? All I'm asking of the DCNR is just a little transparency for the taxpayers of PA since it is OUR state park and OUR taxes going towards these upgrades. That way both proponents and critics could chime in with their thoughts and concerns.

I'll go with that Dave. I'd like to see more detail. I'd like an explanation of the timeline being talked about. As you pointed out, privately owned resorts have been able to get expansions up and running in less time. Large western and New England resorts have been able to complete expansions that would dwarf Laurel in far less time. It just seems to me that the longer this is drawn out, the less bang for the buck.

I've always stated that time and care should be taken but that was always in the context of starting in mid construction season. Right now the money is in place, a lease is signed. There is about a 3 to 4 months before heavy construction can begin and an entire construction season to get the job done. Perhaps there are valid reason why this project should be stretched over 2 years. I would like to know the rational.

Here's an article from today's Pittsburgh Tribune Review:


Laurel Mountain State Park Ski Area to Stay Closed

This from the Somerset Daily American:

Laurel Mountain Closed for 2009/2010

This from the Johnstown Tribune Democrat:

Seven Springs Signs Lease to Operate Laurel Mountain

From the Pittsburgh Tribune Review:
"Closed since 2005, Laurel Mountain's ski area remains under consideration by Gov. Ed Rendell to receive funds for renovation and improvements from the state's capital improvement fund.
A proposed $5 million share is targeted to improve infrastructure at the facility, and $1.5 million would pay for renovations to skiing facilities.
No timetable has been set for reopening the Laurel Mountain ski area, Weltz said.
Necessary upgrades include providing for adequate water storage and snowmaking operations, said Doug Finger, manager of Linn Run/Laurel Mountain State Park.
"What needs to be done and in what order will rely solely on the state and Seven Springs," Finger said."
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If the quotes in this article are completely true, then even the funding still seems a bit iffy. Anybody have the true story?
The Colonel

I would guess there would be no way 7S would have signed this lease if that money wasn't signed, sealed & delivered to the DCNR. Anyways, without knowing the details of the lease, I would guess that 7S is not obligated to do or pay anything without the state performing "X" amount of renovations to Laurel. We'll see how long it takes for the actual upgrade work to commence. If it happens before the end of 2010, I will be shocked pleasantly surprised.

In July the Governors office sent me information that the Governor had signed to release the money. I was told that they were set to start work on it early in 2010. I hope they were truthful. They said it was all signed.
Within the last couple of weeks I spoke with Jenner Twp. as to the $1,000,000. grant to connect the water sewer to Jenner Twp. and was told nothing has been finalized and the money isn't there yet. If it does work, the houses with water/sewer connections will be the first to connect. After this is working, the lots with water/sewer already in place may get to build and connect.
As far as the lots with no lines in front of them, it may be a long time before anything can be built.

The Tribune article mention two design consultants, Moshier Studio, and engineers from H.F. Lenz Co., of Johnstown. I checked the web site of both of these firms and neither has any ski area design experience. H.F. Lenz does have civil and MEP engineering and had some condo buildings at Snowshoe on their project site.
I would think they need a consultant with specific engineering experience in lift design and snow making design. I would assume that we're going to get HKD snow making equipment? Since Herman Dupre was the inventor of this type of snow making equipment.
As typical with newpaper reporting, perhaps we are not getting all of the story.

I heard that the HKD snow making system, although one of the most efficient in the industry, was not suited to Laurel's trails. Talking to previous resort personnel, they say that putting snow where it was needed was difficult because often wind would not cooperate and newly made snow would end up in the trees or in the parking lot. They say that Seven Springs wide slopes, cut to mimic western skiing, is much more suited to the HKDs and their grooming fleet can move the snow where needed.

What confuses me about the Tribune-Review article is the quote attributed to Dave Barrett, Chief of State Park Operations and Maintenance:

"At this point there is no concrete plan. That's why (Seven Springs) has hired a consultant - to develop a plan."

This give me the impression that Seven Springs hired Moshier Studios and H.F. Lenz Co. Can this be right? If this is true then Seven Springs personnel will actually design the ski area and Moshier and Lenz will execute the design.