Burke Mountain Academy has secured a $240,000 grant for the project.
Friday, August 5, 2016, NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com
The famous Burke Pomalift will be replaced in 2017, according to a press release issued by Burke Mountain Academy today.
Burke Racing Inc. was formed as a Vermont non profit entity on June 6, 2016 by Burke Mountain Academy. In today's press release, Burke Mountain Academy announced Burke Racing Inc. had received a $240,000 grant from the Northern Border Regional Commission for replacing the Burke Poma with a T-Bar.
The Poma was installed for the 1955-56 season, instantly establishing Burke as a major ski area. The high speed surface lift has undergone significant modifications over the years and generally serves racers on Warren's Way. Burke Mountain Academy claims the new T-Bar will triple the uphill capacity offered by the Poma.
The Northern Border Regional Commission is a Federally funded program created in 2008 that involves the Governors of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. The commission previously granted funds to the Lake Placid Ski Club.
According to the press release, Burke Racing will need to raise additional funds in order to get the lift installed for the 2017-18 season. Burke Racing has entered into an agreement with the receiver operating Burke Mountain for the Federal government that involves the lift and snowmaking.
The SEC took control of Q Burke and Jay Peak on April 13, alleging that Ariel Quiros and Bill Stenger were running a Ponzi scheme that was defrauding investors. The businesses were placed in receivership under Michael I. Goldberg, with Leisure Hotels and Resorts of Kansas City appointed to run the resorts. United States District Judge Darrin Gayles, appointed to the court by President Obama in 2014, is presiding over the case.
In late April, the receiver renamed Q Burke to Burke Mountain Resort. In May, the receiver announced the completed-but-idle Burke Mountain Hotel would open on September 1.
