The Farmhouse, the new skier services building, is 14,500 square
feet, and the new children's adventure center, The Schoolhouse, is
12,500 square feet and opened to skiers on opening day.
In addition, Phase 2 of the renovation project includes a new entrance plaza.
HOME BASE
The Farmhouse provides skier services such as
tickets, season passes, adult ski and ride, rentals, repairs,
restrooms, a cafe and guest lockers. It will also be home base for
Sugarbush's "First Timer to Life Timer" program - a ski industry program
designed to recruit adults into skiing and riding with an approachable
curriculum and an affordable price.
The Schoolhouse will house
the children's programs (Micro, Mini and Sugar Bear programs) as well as
summer camps and is expected to open to kids this weekend, according to
Sugarbush marketing representative Candice White.
The project
started last April after being delayed a year. Pizzagalli Construction
company was awarded the contract to build the project. They were also
the contractor for Phase 1 (Clay Brook residences, Timbers and the new
Gate House Lodge).
PERMANENT RESIDENCY
Phase 2 of
the Lincoln Peak project was funded in part through a federal and state
EB-5 visa program whereby foreign investors provide funds for projects
in exchange for permanent residency (green card) status. Through the
program, investors provide $500,000 and receive permanent residency
status for themselves and their families.
It allows individuals
from outside the country to invest in a project that saves or creates
jobs in the U.S. in exchange for resident status.
Such projects
must meet state and federal criteria, and the Sugarbush project (the
EB-5 Sugarbush Fund LP) meets the approval of the U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Service and is endorsed by the state of Vermont.
PHASE 2
U.S.
Senator Patrick Leahy visited the construction area this fall.
Sugarbush president Win Smith thanked Leahy for being "instrumental" in
helping the resort secure funds to complete Phase 2.
Smith will
host a grand opening celebration for the new facilities that will
officially open to the public on Friday, December 10.
The unveiling will begin with a press conference, brief ceremony and tour and continue with a reception immediately following.
Governor Douglas as well as other local and state officials are expected to attend.
There
is a final part of Sugarbush's plans for redeveloping Lincoln Peak,
another series of residences to be built to the north of the base area
of the resort's beginner chair.
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