Thursday, September 17, 2020, NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com
The major construction at Saddleback may continue as the reopening resort is requesting permission from the Maine Land Use Planning Commission to undertake additional projects next year.
According to the Lewiston Sun Journal, Saddleback would like to construct a mid-mountain lodge atop the new high speed quad. The new lodge would be up to 6,000 square feet and would also include decks for outdoor dining. The Kennebago Station yurt, which provided limited on-mountain food and beverage service, has been removed.
In addition to the lodge, the resort is also looking to install a multi-million dollar solar array near a transmission line on the northwest corner of the large tract. The daytime solar generation would reduce the resort's energy costs, which are expected to increase with the new detachable quad chairlift. Berkshire East, Jiminy Peak, and Mt. Abram have installed large solar arrays adjacent to their ski areas in recent years.
The resort is hoping to fund the projects through tax credits and donations.
Arctaris Impact Fund acquired the defunct ski area in January for a reported $6.5 million. The area, which closed in 2015, is expected to operate the new detachable quad and two existing fixed grip quads this winter, serving 2,000 vertical feet.
