RUMFORD – The recently refurbished Black Mountain of Maine ski area was hailed Monday night as one of the largest economic investments in western Maine.
More than a 100 volunteers – from Libra Foundation, Black Mountain of Maine, Chisholm Ski Club and Maine Winter Sports Center board members, to plumbers, carpenters, contractors and chair-makers – attended the gala.
“This has been the most inspired and inspiring, cost-effective project,” said Andy Shepard, president of Maine Winter Sports Center, the nonprofit organization that bought Black Mountain two years ago. Since then, it has built new trails, new chairlifts and new buildings.
“This is one of the most significant and largest economic investments in western Maine,” he said
Owen Wells, president of the Libra Foundation board, said the philanthropic organization chose to fund Black Mountain through its purchase by Maine Winter Sports Center because of the skiing heritage of the area that includes cross-country, ski jumping and downhill skiing, and because of the community support of the sport.
He said Rumford native Chummy Broomhall, who is a former Olympian, asked that Maine Winter Sports Center and Libra Foundation look at Black Mountain for possible development.
“Everything pointed in the right direction,” he said.
But it took more than money.
Libra Foundation and the center requirements called for community involvement. And it came, in the form of thousands of hours of organizing volunteer work by the Chisholm Ski Club and other community members, and the donated labor by plumbers, carpenters and other tradesmen.
“It’s all about community,” said Brian Hamel, chairman of Maine Winter Sports Center. “It had to have a community with a great deal of passion. It’s about a partnership. I’m awfully proud of this community and what you’ve done.”
The town of Rumford was thanked for its support, and in turn, the town manager thanked Black Mountain for how he expects it will affect the area.
“This is a wonderful addition to the town and a wonderful tool to advocate for the businesses we’d like to come. It’s a great start in the rebuilding of the downtown,” said Town Manager Steve Eldridge.
John Diller, general manager of Sugarloaf U.S.A. and Sunday River, said community ski areas are the backbone of skiing. The two large ski areas helped with Black Mountain trails, and will continue to help Black Mountain create new programs, he said.
“We’ve positioned Black Mountain for years to come,” said Roger Arsenault, president of the Black Mountain board and a major force behind the mountain’s development.
Maine Winter Sports Center, with the financial assistance of the Libra Foundation, has also developed community ski areas in Fort Kent, Presque Isle and Mars Hill.
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