Large fabric dome for Ski Bowl snubbed by Jbg. board

NORTH CREEK | A proposal by Gore Mountain ski area officials to erect a massive fabric structure at the North Creek Ski Bowl as a temporary year-round lodge was rebuffed by Johnsburg town officials at their July 21 meeting. Gore Mountain General Manager James "Bone" Bayse sought endorsement from the board to erect a 7,000-plus square-feet structure, several stories high, at North Creek Ski Bowl Park. The large previously-owned dome consists of fabric stretched over an aluminum frame. This fabric building would house both Nordic and Alpine skiers, a cafeteria, kitchen and restrooms, offices, equipment rooms, and perhaps other spaces like locker rooms. The fabric building has been utilized for at least five years at Tamarack Resort in Idaho as the ski center's "Discovery Square." Situating such a building at the Ski Bowl has received preliminary approval by the Olympic Regional Development Authority's board of directors, according to Bayse. The total project cost of reconstructing it at the Ski Bowl has been estimated to be up to $1.7 million. The ORDA board voted at its April meeting to purchase three of these used fabric dome structures, at a cost exceeding $900,000, for erection at the state's various ski centers. ORDA President Mike Pratt said that fabric domes were commonly used for temporary ski lodges as well as event venues and bus garages. ORDA board member Jill Broderick objected to the structure's appearance, noting that it was incompatible with the Adirondacks — but the board voted 8-1 to authorize their purchase. Bayse told the Johnsburg town board that the fabric dome could be dressed up with an Adirondack-style entrance to enhance its appearance; and that the structure would help boost the Ski Bowl's year-round uses and attendance. "We could work with the town to design something you'd all be proud of," Bayse said. "Trust me, we are trying to take action to move forward the future plans of the Ski Bowl — That's why we're here." Town Board member Laurie Arnheiter said she backed expanding activities at the Ski Bowl, but other citizens should be consulted on the appearance and amenities of a new lodge. "I support you moving forward, but we need more community involvement," she said. Arnheiter then asked if committing to the fabric dome meant ORDA would operate the ski bowl additional days — or that more and larger Nordic ski events could be hosted. Bayse said he couldn't guarantee these advances, but that more space was needed now for the Ski Bowl to expand its operations, particularly in summer. The existing Minder Lodge, he observed, can only accommodate 99 people. Bayse said that getting the fabric dome for the Ski Bowl would be more likely to occur than constructing a permanent lodge — at least in the near future. "New York is coming into difficult financial times and I worry that we will not see the capital investments that we have seen in the past from the state," he said. Town Board member Gene Arsenault questioned whether such a temporary structure would become permanent, as ORDA officials might assume that with the dome in place, constructing a traditional lodge building was no longer a priority. Town Supervisor Andrea Hogan didn't mince words about her opposition to the used fabric dome structure. "I don't like this building in any way, shape or form," she said. "It's not in keeping with anything people would envision for our Ski Bowl park." Hogan added, however, that boosting the area's economic activity with a larger lodge in place at the Ski Bowl was high priority. Board member Arnold Stevens agreed. "I'm not excited about the looks of the structure," he said, looking at a photo of the building. Councilmember Gene Arsenault voiced a similar opinion. "It's our hope to build a respectable lodge," he said. "It's better to save the $1.7 million to build what is best for our community."

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Large fabric dome for Ski Bowl snubbed by Jbg. board

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