CAMDEN, Maine — Operators of the Camden Snow Bowl will be holding a soft opening on Saturday and hope to have the community-owned facility fully operational again by the end of the month.
The ski lifts are not available yet, but Camden Town Manager Pat Finnigan said at Tuesday night’s Select Board meeting that people who want to ski can hike up the mountain and then ski down.
Snowmaking began Tuesday and the installation of ski lift chairs was expected to start Wednesday as the town awaits the arrival of more chairs.
The ski area will be open to the public for weekends only until redevelopment of the recreational area is complete, Finnigan said.
The project, which was approved by voters in November 2014, has included the installation of new lift towers, creation of a new trail, development of an expanded beginner ski area and the purchase of new snowmaking equipment. Parking also has been expanded and improved.
The Camden Planning Board is scheduled to review plans for the proposed new lodge at its meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, at the town office.
General Manager Landon Fake said Tuesday that the Snow Bowl has 1,200 to 1,300 season passholders, some of whom are impatient to get on the ski trails, while others are understanding of the delays.
Fake pointed out Tuesday that three times in the past 10 years the ski resort has not opened until Jan. 15 or later because of weather.
The Snow Bowl has made an arrangement with the Saddleback ski area in Rangeley to allow season passholders from the Snow Bowl to have one free day of skiing at the western Maine mountain.
The original redevelopment plan projected a Dec. 20 opening for the Snow Bowl. The town has pointed out that a rainy spring and early winter played roles in delaying the opening.
Lee Schneller Sligh, who has been critical of the lack of oversight of the project that led to erosion problems that sent sediment into Hosmer Pond, said last week she was encouraged by actions being taken by the town.
“All in all, I was very impressed by the immediate remedial actions [engineer] Will Gartley orchestrated last week. Getting the erosion under control is an ongoing and difficult task,” she said.
The Select Board also discussed Tuesday the financial aspects of the redevelopment. The $6.5 million project is being paid for by $4.5 million in private fundraising and $2 million in borrowing by the town. The town has acknowledged, however, that there has been $800,000 in cost overruns thus far for the work.
The town manager said the Ragged Mountain Redevelopment Foundation has agreed to try to raise the additional money.
Select Board member John French Jr. asked for a specific financial report, pointing out that $1.1 million in pledges are outstanding and some are due in two to three years.
Finnigan said she was meeting Friday with the chairs of the redevelopment committee and the redevelopment foundation and could provide more specifics to the board after that session. The Select Board voted Tuesday night to appoint retired banker Frank Morong to serve as a liaison between the board and the redevelopment committees.