Big Burke announcement

[thetrailboss]

Shhhh....do not disclose the location of the Qlades or the Qwoods.

 

[thetrailboss]

The second installment:

http://www.wcax.com/story/23895536/bu

Addressing who is investing in Stenger's projects.

 

[from_the_NEK]

Part 2 had some shots of the new Stateside Hotel/Lodge. That hike up to the Taxi looks like it will be a bit steep due to the large drainage ditch they put in. Although I suppose they could fill it with snow to grade it better.

Part three tonight. Looking at the 10,000 jobs the projects are supposed to create. This one should be interesting.

 

[from_the_NEK]

Part 3: http://www.wcax.com/story/23909631/...art=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=9504244

 

[thetrailboss]

Part 3: http://www.wcax.com/story/23909631/...art=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=9504244

At 4:14 you see Bill sitting at the Sherburne Lodge at Burke, and he is wearing a "Burke" nametag.

Tonight is the one that most of us will want to see: the installment on Burke specifically and an introduction to the Q team and their Q Plans.

 

[from_the_NEK]

Q the Music!

 

[thetrailboss]

And now the installment on Burke....drum roll.....here is the text version:

http://www.wcax.com/story/23920473/building-a-new-kingdom-part-4

They were very direct on a lot of concerns that we've heard here. Here are some exchanges that might be of interest:

First, an accurate description of the past:

"For the last five owners there's been a lot of good intention but not a hell of a lot of follow through," Stenger said. He says there will be follow through now because they have access to cash. The money will come from the federal investor EB-5 program. In exchange for half-a-million-dollars, foreign investors and their families are on the fast track to permanent residency. But their investment must create at least 10 jobs.

Some hard numbers:

Currently Burke sees 70,000 skier and rider visits a year. After the developments Quiros hopes that number more than doubles -- to 150,000.

And the community's concerns about Ary's fit and "Mountain-Community" relations:

People in the industry and the community didn't want to go on camera, but repeatedly expressed concerns that while they welcome improvements, they're afraid Quiros doesn't value the community's history.

Reporter Gina Bullard: How are you going to prove yourself? Are you worried about coming in and changing the entire face of Burke Mountain?

Ary Quiros: No, absolutely not. I have everything to back up all my changes -- why I'm doing it -- and I have them understand it.

Why the name:

Quiros is already leaving his mark on the ski resort. There's a new logo featuring the letter 'Q' -- for Quiros.

Reporter Gina Bullard: Why did you want to have that?

Ary Quiros: It's a new company. We take pride and ownership and we want to show the world what we're doing is good for the mountain.

More on some controversial decisions:

He admits there's controversy -- he's had to lay off six managers. "I had to reduce the amount of staff in the beginning due to high fixed costs," he said. Quiros says his military background has shaped his management style. In 2002 he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was deployed several times to Iraq and Afghanistan. He's currently a Captain in the Vermont National Guard. "I enjoy it very much and I apply the same principals here in managing of people," Quiros said.

He's never worked in the hospitality sector but has interned at hotels in Spain. "We're very conservative and I dedicate my time to developing my staff, and my staff is the key here to moving forward," he said.

Why the "Big Guy" was chosen:

Reporter Gina Bullard: Why was Ary chosen to run this?

Bill Stenger: He's part of the family -- passionate about skiing, great drive and wants to see this be successful.

And what Ary really wants to do:

Quiros says his sole focus right now is making Burke profitable. "There's fundamentals in business and fundamentals in things we do and if I can't sustain this business, then I can't help the community in the future. So I have to stop giving time and resources to them so I can allocate all the time to this mountain, fix it up, bring it up to code, take care of my employees, make it sustainable -- then move forward," Quiros said.

Some tough medicine there. I think anyone will agree that making the mountain profitable and sustainable is good and needed. But that does not mean burning bridges or just turning your back to those at the base of the mountain.

Reporter Gina Bullard: Are you worried there's a lack of trust for Ary?

Bill Stenger: Any time you come into a new situation there's, 'Show me. Show me you're going to do what you say.'

Proof the community could soon see -- the new hotel is set to open in two years. "Working with people and leading them -- that's my 'A' game, that's what I enjoy, that's my passion, and that's why I love it here," Quiros said.

"We're not going to fail at this," Stenger said.

Hmmm.....

Thoughts?

 

[zeke]

Reporter Gina Bullard: How are you going to prove yourself? Are you worried about coming in and changing the entire face of Burke Mountain?

Ary Quiros: No, absolutely not. I have everything to back up all my changes -- why I'm doing it -- and I have them understand it.


being made president and CEO in an industry you have no experience in, you'd think someone would want to prove themselves.

if there is "everything to back up" these changes, why not share this magic spreadsheet or research that says everything he's doing is right? i'm sure people would love to see anything that justifies an aquatic and tennis center in a small ski town in northern VT. seems like a sad combination of arrogance and naiveté is all that's behind these decisions and the only real "back up" is dad's money.

 

[kingdom-tele]

he teles! clearly his head is screwed on a little crooked

My favorite quote, "This will be an outdoor family area."
What was it before?

10,000 jobs, half of which for the construction, what happens when they stop building? Would love to have seen the breakdown for upper wage jobs that are created and how they plan to fill those when the local work force has been tapped out. 25,000 people in Newport on a weekend?

Quite the vision, for sure. I hope it truly does uplift the region, and its not just wealthy people trading money amongst themselves. Helps me realize my perception, seems like 100+ million would get you more, that is a lot of money I think.

I am looking forward to the aquatic center. Any recent design pictures. I miss lap swimming.

 

[from_the_NEK]

Edit: Please note this was a post by my 4 year old playing with smiley faces.

 

[deadheadskier]

So, the "Q" in the logo and trade name is because of the Quiros family is partners with Stenger and a son is the new CEO of the ski area?

That's really pretty arrogant and deuchey.

Maybe Win Smith should re-brand Sugarbush as W-Sugarbush

 

[kingdom-tele]

but not a bad reason for doing it, guy seems excited about the future. Just hope it isn't focused on $ signs. Pretty easy to walk away from, over, and around people when your only interested in bottom lines

70k to 150k/year

if 70k wasn't enough to support it in its current state, is 150K enough to support the bills their development is going to create?

the employees standing around the hotel will outnumber the mid week skiers. that doesn't seem sustainable for long.

Man, I really hope this works like they are talking it up.

 

[crank]

That's really pretty arrogant and deuchey.

Worse than that is it is both confusing and pointless.

 

[the original trailboss]

Has "fromtheNEK" or anyone else laid out the hotel(s)/base lodge to see how it fits in that field below the Mid-Burke Express?

 

[from_the_NEK]

Has "fromtheNEK" or anyone else laid out the hotel(s)/base lodge to see how it fits in that field below the Mid-Burke Express?

 

[dlague]

That was pretty cool

 

[the original trailboss]

Thanks T - that is indeed very cool. I am surprised there is as much open space as you show between the lower road (Woods Trail or something similar) and the west side of the hotel(s)

 

[thetrailboss]

A good video from the mountain:

 

[oldtimer]

The Q Burke

Mr Q plans to make his mark on Burke:

1) unless he changes plans, most every area in the East will be open before Burke, including Nashoba Valley and the NJ areas. Talk in the admin building is that the 14th is a pretty hard date.

2) Staff being required to refer to the area as "Q-Burke". prompts such as "Thank you for skiing Q-Burke" have been given to incoming and returning emps

3) expenses are being monitored closely

deja vue all over again for those of us who have seen so many owners with grand plans ................ as always at Burke, cherish every good day.

 

[canobie#1]

I am in love with Burke's New logo. I think its my new favorite. (Stupid Killington had to replace their awesome logo with a crappy one:uzi