What: Meeting about Spruce Mountain
When: 6 p.m. Sunday
Where: The ski lodge, Spruce Mountain Road, Jay
Who: Ski club members and the public
Why: Discussion of how to operate for this ski season
Schuss on down
Ski Club needs president, or season may be in jeopardy
JAY – The president of the Spruce Mountain Ski Club plans to step down from the office he’s held for four years. And Rick Couture says someone needs to take his place in order to oversee the ski mountain’s operations.
So far there aren’t any takers. The board members are even considering not opening this season, if they can’t find someone to take on the responsibility.
The mountain and three buildings on it are owned by three towns: Jay, Livermore and Livermore Falls.
The nonprofit ski club owns all the equipment and oversees operations during ski season.
There are 11 downhill ski trails and some cross-country trails.
Club directors are inviting the public to meet at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, at the ski lodge on Spruce Mountain Road in Jay to discuss ways to continue to operate this year.
The road to the ski area is off Route 4 in Livermore near the bridge at the Livermore Falls line.
Couture, a board member for more than 20 years, said Thursday he’s involved in all aspects of the ski operation, from paperwork and organizing meetings to snow-making and maintenance. He puts in between 200 and 300 hours a year for the club.
Trying to cut back
Couture plans to stay on the board but wants to cut back on his duties. He wants to continue to make snow and fix equipment.
He and his wife, Sherri Couture, had also been handling the treasurer’s duties.
One of the new board members, Vicky Wight-Dalton of Livermore Falls, has stepped up to be the treasurer, which is a big relief, Couture said.
Cheryl Marceau will continue as secretary.
Vice President Randy Rose and Couture are stepping down.
A lot of the board members have served as officers or have been involved in coaching the junior ski program or overseeing ski school for years, and they’ve done a good job, Couture said.
There are 12 board members, some of them new, he said, but there is room for up to 25 members.
“We have volunteers, and I think we have a good group of volunteers,” he said. “I’d like to keep it going. This year coming is the 50th anniversary. It was started in 1956 and that would be a milestone to get through.”
The ski club is in good shape financially, he said. Last year was an average year.
“If no one steps forward Sunday, we have to come up with what we’re going to do this year,” he said. “We may decide to split up the president’s duties, but if we cannot decide, we won’t be able to open. … Nobody wants to see it close but nobody wants to step up. I’m willing to stay on and help. … I still have young children so I’ve got a few more years, but I need somebody to start driving.”
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