Burke Announces Multi million dollar capital improvement plan for this year

[thetrailboss]

again, front page on the printed version of the cal rec today. really interesting article with a few new tid bits, but not too much new news. the article references the tamarack place as a place for the locals to go. then it mentions $16-20 entree prices, which means when you include a drink, tax, and tip, you are talking at least $30 per person per meal i know i won't be eatting there and i have a rare decent paying job for these parts.

Depends on your definition of 'local' I guess :roll: Yeah, those prices are high by Vermont standards and by NEK standards. They have in the past been quite good to locals by offering midweek specials and other deals...so we can hope.

this is clearly a requirement by ginn & co. they need a very nice well to do restaurant for the rich tourists. that's cool! bet tell it like it is man! the ginn connection with the chef is kinda blatent. obviously ginn is calling the shots for burke right now and they won't sign the line until burke is the way they want it to be.

Agreed. There is some kind of partnership right now...property is being purchased I have heard...ironic considering that the resort was 'divested' in 2000 and now they are putting it all back together again. Who would have thought?

i liked the addition of having folks available to help families with their gear to the lodge. that is a REALLY GREAT IDEA. makes a place really family friendly. with a repaved lot and new ski school building, burke is really paving the way to be THE PLACE for great uncrowded skiing for the family in VT. seriously, i think i see some really good signs here folks.

They are regrading the parking lot and putting in stone and staymat, but not paving it...and they were fixing the stairs for the lower lodge :beer: These changes and attention to detail are consistent with what I had heard was coming down the pike...

the only thing that bothers me is the seperate building for brown baggers and turning the lodge into more of a restaurant. i saw this approach at crotched and i did not like it one bit. i don't mind seperate areas for brown baggers, but seperate but equal please! not a seperate building squeezed in with the ski school (the building dimensions are really small for both ski school and a cafe). what if i decide i want to buy some fries to go with my sandwich? i gotta go over to the real lodge? um, yea. fortunately, mid-burke to remain unchanged!
:beer:

Now, as I can tell you, the Supreme Court ruled in Plessey vs. Ferguson that "seperate and equal has no place" in our society :lol: Could not resist to use my education. Seriously though...I did not interpret it that way...just for the midweek school groups which makes sense because honestly they have A LOT of school kids that come up, which I am glad to see will continue. I did not know that they were putting up Yurts...thought it was an expansion of the lodge and it could very well be.

Good article...

 

[thetrailboss]

For those who want to read the article, here it is:

Opening Planned For Dec. 10

Burke Mountain Ski Area Readies For Coming Season

BY JEANNE MILES, Staff Writer
Friday November 11, 2005
EAST BURKE -- The Burke Mountain ski area is hopping with activity as ski season nears. There were more vehicles parked at the lower area Thursday than on a mid-week day in March.

"There's a lot more going on now than last year," David Gwatkin, marketing manager for the mountain, said Thursday. "A lot of local contractors are working up here and it's fun to be a part of it."

Most of the activity is centered around the Sherburne Base Lodge where a new high-speed quad chair lift has been installed. This new lift will get skiers up the mountain in 4 minutes, a third of the time it took the old lift, Gwatkin said.

As a crew worked on putting together the lift's seats in one area of the lower parking lot, heavy equipment graded other parts of the parking lot and trucks continuously rolled in and out. The entire parking area will be resurfaced with crushed gravel or stone. It will not be paved.

Outside the base lodge workers were busy putting up a yurt-shaped building which Gwatkin described as a "sprung structure." This semi-permanent 30- by 60-foot, heated structure will be the home of the ski program for local schoolchildren and will provide a place for people who bring their lunches to eat.

On the other side of the base lodge, construction was taking place on a new set of steps and a new deck. "The whole base lodge is getting a face lift," Gwatkin said. Inside, a coffee shop and baggage area are planned for the main level. Keeping equipment and bags out of the cafeteria area will allow for a more restaurant-like atmosphere, he said.

"It will be better organized," Gwatkin said. "Visitors will notice a heightened level of service."

One of these new services will be porters in the parking lot to help with skis and equipment for those who need it. A mother with young children will no longer have to struggle with equipment and bags while trying to keeps tabs on the youngsters, Gwatkin said.

Upstairs, preparations are under way for a new restaurant called the Tamarack Grill which will serve Vermont products, including local beef, and offer entrees ranging between $16 and $20. "We really want the local folks to come up," Gwatkin said.

Steve Grimes will be the executive chef, Gwatkin said. Grimes was formerly with Hammock Beach Resort, a Florida resort owned by the Ginn Companies. The restaurant and the ski area are scheduled to open Dec. 10, weather permitting.

With expanded snowmaking and a pumping capacity which has been increased by 33 percent, Gwatkin said the likelihood of meeting that date is good. The ski area has added 75 more snow guns resulting in 80 percent of the ski trails being served by the machine-made snow.

While Mid Burke Lodge has received a new coat of paint and new carpeting, it still has the feeling of the old-fashioned ski lodge. "Mid Burke is still good old Mid Burke," Gwatkin said.

While not a lot of new trail work was done this summer, there will be a new connector trail between the top of the Sherburne Express and the upper Willoughby Chair. Because the new chair stops 150 feet short of the old lift, the trail between the two lifts will be more gradual and not as steep as it was before, Gwatkin said.

The ski area now boasts four terrain parks offering challenging to a varying degree of ability. Members of the Daggers, a free-style skiing club at Lyndon State College, will be monitoring the parks and teaching youngsters skiing and riding etiquette as well. An intermediate park developed last year, now has a name: "The Enchanted Forest."

Gwatkin said the children who used the park came up with the name and if that's what they like, that's what it will be.

"It's a neat time to be a part of Burke Mountain," Gwatkin said.

 

[riverc0il]

Outside the base lodge workers were busy putting up a yurt-shaped building which Gwatkin described as a "sprung structure." This semi-permanent 30- by 60-foot, heated structure will be the home of the ski program for local schoolchildren and will provide a place for people who bring their lunches to eat.

we shall see, i don't like the way that is worded. especially when combined with the restaurant style lodge in which they are trying to go crotched style and force all bags out of the "dinig area." sounds like they are going to ask brown baggers to step outside the way i am reading it but who knows, we'll find out. thanks for the clarification on paving... i know they weren't paving it... just typed the wrong thing while the stream of consciousness was going.

 

[thetrailboss]

Outside the base lodge workers were busy putting up a yurt-shaped building which Gwatkin described as a "sprung structure." This semi-permanent 30- by 60-foot, heated structure will be the home of the ski program for local schoolchildren and will provide a place for people who bring their lunches to eat.

we shall see, i don't like the way that is worded. especially when combined with the restaurant style lodge in which they are trying to go crotched style and force all bags out of the "dinig area." sounds like they are going to ask brown baggers to step outside the way i am reading it but who knows, we'll find out. thanks for the clarification on paving... i know they weren't paving it... just typed the wrong thing while the stream of consciousness was going.

Non-issue for both you and me since we spend most of the time at Mid Burke anyways...but I do see this now...I still interpret it more as the "school program" place. I think that the new restaurant is going to be upstairs like the previous crew had done...this is supported by this statement:

"The whole base lodge is getting a face lift," Gwatkin said. Inside, a coffee shop and baggage area are planned for the main level. Keeping equipment and bags out of the cafeteria area will allow for a more restaurant-like atmosphere, he said.

And...

Upstairs, preparations are under way for a new restaurant called the Tamarack Grill which will serve Vermont products, including local beef, and offer entrees ranging between $16 and $20. "We really want the local folks to come up," Gwatkin said.

That's upstairs as in the pub.

I don't care if ski bags are moved out of the lower lodge simply because that lodge is a mess with the round tables and chairs as it is...doesn't work as well as say rectangular tables.

 

[sledhaulingmedic]

Re: Burke Mtn Marketing

While driving home from work this evening, I noticed while listening to my local NPR station (88.5 WFCR - Amherst, MA) that Burke Mountain is an underwriter of the station. Not an advertiser since NPR doesn't really do that but a supporter/underwriter.

Has anyone else noticed that phenomenon in your area? The reception area for WFCR extends from Southern VT into Northern CT with all of Western MA covered so it definitely makes sense.

I'm just curious about the extent of Burke's marketing. Supporting NPR is definitely a good move and consistent with Burke's profile by emphasizing quality over quantity.

I believe (I'd have to do a licence search) that Vermont Public Radio has a transmitter on the summit of Burke. I would guess that it is an "In Kind" donation.

 

[riverc0il]

the restauarant is indeed upstairs, but downstairs is getting a face lift. in the section you quoted, it specifically says

Keeping equipment and bags out of the cafeteria area will allow for a more restaurant-like atmosphere, he said.

obviously, if you are interested in a true ski lodge experience, mid-burke is the way to go. i have a feeling mid-burke will see A LOT less traffic with the high speed quad and refurbished sherburne lodge. if it wasn't for the 'improvements', i would likely do sherburne from here on out to save the drive up to mid-burke. the HSQ would be faster than the round about drive up to mid-burke, that certainly wasn't true with the old double! :lol:

 

[thetrailboss]

I'm not convinced though that the lower lodge floor will be bag-lunch free though...I think that they are going for an atmosphere where it is more open for those who want to sit and eat at the cafeteria...a cafeteria and a restaurant are two different things IMHO.

 

[halfpintvt]

Update Regarding Ginn Development Co

I posted this in a seperate topic but now I think it belongs here. Sorry for the double post. I am new to the ways of forum posting.


The following job opening has been posted on several executive job search sites as of Nov 18, 2005.

Just food for thought. Have a great Thanksgiving.
Think snow!! Ski Burke, buy a season pass!

Halfpintvt


Controller
Ginn Development Company
East Burke, VT[/quote] Bachelor�s degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university Directs and maintains procedures and controls in the reporting of resort revenues, in the collection of accounts and strict adherence to approved accounting policies, procedures and practices. Provides financial management and leadership responsibilities related to the compilation of costing and management data in the ongoing development of the business enterprise in the Vermont Development including cash and fixed asset management through direct reporting or management of additional resources. - Assures compliance with internal controls and corporate accounting policies. - Authorizes accounting related documents according to S.O.P. - Prepares and/or reviews reports as requested to develop a more informative database for improved management decision making and critical evaluation of work activit

ies, including monthly operating statements, quarterly operating and analysis reports as required. - Optimizes cash flow in accordance with policy. Ensures collection of accounts receivable and reviews accounts payables to approve cash disbursements. - Ensure project job cost sub-ledger costs-to-date are maintained in compliance with Corporate policy in conjunction with the regional development project team for effective decision-making and management. - Maintain current project budgets and project estimated final costs in the financial systems provided; and reporting changes in budget or final cost estimates to Regional Leadership in an accurate and timely manner. - Assist in identification and management of risk associated with operations and development in coordination with Corporate Risk Management team. - Additional defined responsibilities as assigned.

Primary reporting function is supervised by the Division Controller, Ginn Hospitality in management of policies and function related to operations. This is an Executive support role to the General Manager of resort operations in management of the facility as well as development of additional business models to supplement existing operations.

In addition, financial management of information related to the ongoing development of the Corporate business model including additional asset acquisition and improvements provided by the Director of Financial Operations, NC Region and Regional President of Development, NC Region. May manage up to 6-10 employees in the Accounting and Night Audit Department. Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination and evaluation of this unit. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization�s policies and applicable laws.

Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations and permutations. Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory and factor analysis.

Past experience in property management systems and condominium accounting preferred.

Direct experience in Timberline back office systems adds significant value to the proposed candidate.

Ability to handle multiple tasks and disciplines critical to success.

Advanced communication skills in both writing and verbal required.


eFinancialJobs.com

Accounting, Banking & Finance Professionals

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[riverc0il]

while i think it is important to realize a company can proactively search for a position that isn't actually a real job yet and ditch the person within a 90 grace period for any reason if the job doesn't actually fly (happpened to me before), i think this is a pretty solid sign when combined with the fact that the new head chef is a Ginn employee that this is going to happen eventually. i bet it doesn't get finalized until next spring or summer though, seems like they want to keep the companies officially independent for the current ski season.

 

[thetrailboss]

Yes...I mean really...if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck...

:-?

 

[thetrailboss]

UPDATE:

I went up to get my season pass photo yesterday. About 4-8 inches of snow on the mountain. Lower Lodge is completely different inside--while getting a photo taken, I looked at the new trail map, which is different from years past in that like bigger places the trails are designated by colored lines than just the symbols and numbers...I think it looks too busy IMHO, but otherwise the format is cool. The front steps are being worked on still. Lots of contractors inside working on the Lower Lodge.

Leitner/POMA had just left. Sheave trains are on the towers and they have put in the new operator's terminal. Summit station in place. "Sand Lines" are in place ready to pull the final cable into place...looks like that is the next order of business. Cable was in place on the spool. Chairs are on the ground ready to have grips put on and put onto the line. The liftline has been widened. Looked good.

I learned that Burke is going to be like a big ski resort in that they will be scanning all passes this year :roll: At least I have a shot at a new pic...

Upper Mountain visit revealed new signage, a new groomer sitting and waiting for assembly, they have cleaned up the maintenance grounds and have erected a new fence around the area so you can't see in. Royal Trail Works had moved to the parking lot for snowmaking work...Skidders were parked from hauling pipe/lift components. The HKD towers have not left the parking lot (still lots to do...).

Talked for a while with riverc0il and saw that the Summit Quad was spinning for maintenance work and to get it ready. 'River had just got done a run and said that the skiing was sweet :beer:

 

[riverc0il]

Talked for a while with riverc0il and saw that the Summit Quad was spinning for maintenance work and to get it ready. 'River had just got done a run and said that the skiing was sweet :beer:

indeed

was a pleasant surprised to see you there TB! nice chatting with you.

 

[thetrailboss]

Oh...forgot to say...the new lift did not appear to have footholders.

Sorry Joshua B

 

[thetrailboss]

The Local Paper's Photo of the Day:

The caption:

LET IT SNOW

Workers finish up the new Sherburne Express chairlift at Burke Mountain Ski Area in East Burke Sunday afternoon. The ski area is expected to open the second weekend in December, conditions permitting.

 

[thetrailboss]

Darn Caledonian Record! Anyways, the pic depicts the Summit Terminal.

Burke just updated their website: http://www.skiburke.com/gallery.html?stat=Image+Gallery&substat=Construction&sstat=&ref=0