CAMDEN, Maine — The operating loss at the Camden Snow Bowl for the past year was less than what town officials said they expected.
The $80,000 operating loss was the result of a shortened season caused by problems and delays during last year’s modernization and expansion at the ski resort on Ragged Mountain.
“This is a lot better than I thought it would be,” Select Board member John French said during the board’s Tuesday night meeting.
Landon Fake, the general manager of the Snow Bowl and the director of the town’s parks and recreation department, said the loss was due to the ski resort opening late. In past years, up to 20 percent of the Snow Bowl’s annual revenues came during the Christmas vacation for schools. This past year, the Snow Bowl opened Jan. 14 although the triple chair lift was not operating until Jan. 29.
The operating expenses were less than what had been budgeted since the town-operated recreation facility did not need the full level of staff during the closure. Revenues, however, were also down. Expenses at the resort during the past year totaled slightly less than $1.1 million.
Town Manager Patricia Finnigan said in future years the town can expect to break even with full seasons of operations if there is snowfall. She pointed out that the consulting firm, Horizon Engineering, that was hired to conduct a feasibility study prior to the expansion, projected that if there was snow, the ski resort would be be on stronger financial ground because of the expansion. The expansion project included new ski trails, lifts, and snowmaking equipment.
In November 2013, Town voters approved 1,124-239 borrowing up to $2 million to go along with $4.5 million raised and pledged privately by the Ragged Mountain Redevelopment Committee.
The project, however, ran into problems from the start.
Cost overruns reached $1.9 million. The overruns began when a forester came in and cut more trees than had been planned, leading to mud running off the mountain and into Hosmer Pond. That forestry work directly led to $500,000 in unplanned expenses. Trail construction and subsequent stormwater management cost far more than projected. Lighting also cost far more than projected.
The overruns in those parts of the overall project has led to a delay in when the lodge will be built. Starting next week, work on the parking lot will begin.
The most recent cost of a new lodge is $2,462,000 but because of the overruns, the lodge will not be built this year. Ragged Mountain Redevelopment officials have said they will not go back to voters for more tax dollars.