Big Burke announcement

[Masskier]

If this indeed happens, it is fantastic news!

Any discussion on the time frame for completion?

If you have felt needled, it's generally when you obfuscate or throw logic and/or reason out the window. If you don't do that, I think the discussion would be much more productive and therefore not adversarial.

November, December 2015 Its a 16-18 month project

 

[VTKilarney]

I said it a few posts back, but I think that it is worth repeating that Burke demands top notch leadership. It is an undeniable fact that many owners have come and gone - inevitably because they couldn't figure out how to break even. Other financially marginal mountains have figured things out, but only with innovative leadership. Many without strong leadership have failed.

If I appear to be critical it's because history has told us that there is no room for error if Burke is to profitable. My criticism is intended to be constructive criticism designed to encourage acknowledgement of problems which is a prerequisite to the development of a solution. My interest is in the long term. It's not about the short term. It's about making sure that the mountain has the best chance possible to be around for my children and for generations beyond.

Don't confuse passion with negativity. Sometimes love has to be tough love. Patting someone on the back when they are making mistakes is not a luxury we have at Burke. I don't want Burke to be another Ascutney.

 

[VTKilarney]

November, December 2015 Its a 16-18 month project

That gets it open at the beginning of the next ski season - which is obviously a good thing. Let's cross our fingers that they stick to that timetable since a delay of a couple of months would mean that they would lose revenue for perhaps the busiest time of the year.

Hopefully you're willing to share your thoughts on my questions in post #1397.

 

[VTKilarney]

Masskier,

Where are you going to be on June 3rd?

 

[Masskier]

Masskier,

Where are you going to be on June 3rd?

Hopefully celebrating !!! :beer:

 

[SkiRaceParent]

what's june 3rd?

 

[VTKilarney]

Hopefully???????

 

[Masskier]

Well, there is always, Acts of God, Economic meltdowns, war ect, things that could screw things up. But give or take a week, it looks pretty definite.

 

[Masskier]

I think we all have this interest; but if you're going to be making a disclaimer then you should add that you have a significant monetary interest involved in Burke. You admitted this openly a few years back when Riverc0il brought it up.



Criticized and questioned yes. That is to be expected.



In my experience, folks are fine unless they are questioned or probed regarding their views. And then all the sudden they complain it is "personal". If you think that this place is aggressive or bad then I invite you to engage in conversation on TGR. You would have already been eaten alive there Masskier. I think that folks here have challenged others and you in particular. Is it deserved? You may not think so, but in my years on here and seeing you involved in Burke talk you've said some things that you've been called out for. We all would have been.

I chuckle at this whole "you're all negative" line. Those of us who have generations in the NEK have a lot of experience with multiple ownerships at Burke. We've been burned a lot. In Vermont people really are down to Earth and have always struggled so they are naturally skeptical of things. We're hardened by all the failures. Here we've been discussing a lot of things that are publicly reported and I think that there is cause to be concerned. I haven't heard you say one thing in response to Pomerleau's actions and his message to the public that Stenger doesn't have the cash. Obviously that conflicts with your monetary interest, so I can understand why you stay quiet. But to dismiss the increasingly growing pile of facts and concerns as "negativity" I think is not right and perhaps condescending because you're outright dismissing other folks' POV that are different than yours (and sometimes have in the end been right).

And that leads to one last comment I will make is that a lot of folks who ski at Burke are native Vermonters, or folks who were born and raised there for multiple generations. They're not folks whose worth can be assessed in terms of monetary wealth. I will speak for myself in saying that we are generally resourceful, genuine, and frank. I've been pretty frank about things and will be on this point: folks who are not originally from the area and come in looking to prove something to or seek to show that they are better than others is not appreciated. It crashes and burns. I've seen it in so many areas. I've seen some of that attitude and I don't take to kindly to it considering that because I'm from the NEK I am not the stereotypical "heathen" or uneducated hick.

That's all. I'm going skiing this weekend. That makes me happy.

That's all.

TTB, I am very sensitive to the history of Burke. After spending a great deal of time here over the past 18 years, I have developed lots of good relationships and have learned a lot about the area. Besides, several years ago you were nice enough to give me a very detail account of the history.

I thought my disclaimer was fine.

" I haven't heard you say one thing in response to Pomerleau's actions and his message to the public that Stenger doesn't have the cash. Obviously that conflicts with your monetary interest, so I can understand why you stay quiet"

I disagree with that statement. I'm don't have time to respond to a lot of things. However the reason I was quiet on this point is that BWD (I think it was BWD) did a good job in explaining that these are individual entities are insulated from each other without any cross collateral or exposure between them. So I don't see any conflict between the Newport Hotel and Burke. Now I understand the point of how it could affect future fundraising, however my position has always been that the total Burke project is at least 25% funded and that is enough to build the hotel.

Thanks for your other insights. What is TGR? I will make a point to avoid it. Have a good weekend skiing.

 

[thetrailboss]

Where are folks seeing June 3rd as a groundbreaking? I don't see anything on WCAX, VTDigger, Cal Rec, or Burke.

 

[Smellytele]

Thanks for your other insights. What is TGR? I will make a point to avoid it. Have a good weekend skiing.

TGR = Teton Gravity Research. If you think people on here are nasty to each other check them out - http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/3-Ski-Snowboard

 

[Boardguy]

Well in spite of all the dire predictions expressed in this thread of late I took a chance and went ahead and purchased my 2014/2015 season pass today. Figured I would vote with my wallet so to speak, hoping for the best and looking forward to a good season.

With the hotel scheduled to open in Nov. or Dec. of '15 this thread will have a chance to hit 100,000 posts or more. Future topics might include; lots of "will the hotel open on time" (that has already begun), it can't possibly open on time, "I saw one of the cement trucks had a flat tire, oh no there goes the schedule", and "the hotel is supposed to open next week and I have it on good and highly placed authority that the bar cocktail napkins are on backorder". All the burning issues of the particular day. Carry on.

 

[from_the_NEK]

With the hotel scheduled to open in Nov. or Dec. of '14

I'm pretty sure it is scheduled for December of '15

 

[Boardguy]

Thanks - knew that - typing error - fixed

 

[VTKilarney]

Q-Bert had an ad for mountain bike trail maintenance crew members in Saturday's Caledonian Record. Make of that what you will.

As far as the hotel is concerned, there was an employment ad from Peak CM. That certainly suggests something is going to happen.

 

[WoodCore]

Ground breaking ceremony for the new hotel is scheduled for June 3rd.

 

[Masskier]

Ground Breaking News. Check out Burke's facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BurkeMtn for the latest update..

 

[fbrissette]

Ground breaking ceremony for the new hotel is scheduled for June 3rd.

Great news !

 

[deadheadskier]

Have they revealed any information about the hotel? How much conference space it will have, biggest ballroom etc.? 116 beds, while a step in the right direction, isn't a heck of a lot, so I hope it has other amenities to bring in revenue.

 

[from_the_NEK]

Have they revealed any information about the hotel? How much conference space it will have, biggest ballroom etc.? 116 beds, while a step in the right direction, isn't a heck of a lot, so I hope it has other amenities to bring in revenue.

Here is a link to the 1-3 floor plan: http://www.anr.state.vt.us/imaging/...Plan A1.0-01 Orientation Plans Floors 103.pdf

The conference room is on floor #2 (left side of the diagram). The full room is about 73x53 feet and it looks like it can be partitioned.

This weekend I was able to cruise up to the Mid-Burke and observed that there are a bunch of "PCM" construction barriers that have been recently offloaded in the middle lot.

116 Rooms I think (not sure on actual bed count). I would think the actual capacity of the hotel would be closer to 250-300, assuming most rooms will have at least two people staying in them. That is a REALLY big jump over what is available in the area right now.