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The original info came from the Mount Snow passholders website with limited detail. However, the 10/14/11 edition of the Deerfield Valley News has the following story:
New owners close deal on Haystack ski area, work restarts
by Mike Eldred
WILMINGTON- The saws were singing and hammers banging at Haystack, just hours after Hermitage Inn owner Jim Barnes and his Hermitage Inn real estate holding company closed a deal on the golf course, ski area, and associated real estate.
Barnes may be redefining what it means to “hit the ground running.” The company put the final ink on the deal on Friday afternoon. On Saturday, Barnes started operating the Haystack Golf Course. Over the weekend, Barnes says, he sold several Haystack Club memberships. On Monday morning, carpenters were already at work at Haystack Ski Area finishing three of the units in the only townhouse that was constructed by the previous owner. And next Monday? “We’re starting on the framing of the next building,” Barnes says.
Barnes says that he has retained all current staff at Haystack Golf Course, and has already moved to rehire some former Haystack Club employees, including Bob Rubin, who played a key role in the planning and development of the club.
Barnes says he plans to move forward with the Haystack Club concept developed by the former owner, Bob Foisie, and his company, 1 Cornell Inc. Foisie broke ground on the project in fall 2006. His ambitious project included the construction of 118 four-unit townhouses, an 81-unit condominium complex on the upper mountain area, an 89-unit condominium complex on the lower mountain area, a 162-unit hotel, as well as an extensive remodeling of the former Haystack Upper Base Lodge, a new base lodge, restaurant, spa complex, a centrally located propane facility, and a mountain operations building. The private resort was slated to be open only to guests, with almost no public access. The club would, however, sell as many as 250 lift tickets per day to local residents.
The club also planned the construction of a “chondola” combination chairlift and gondola, as well as snowmaking and trail improvements.
Four months after breaking ground, however, Foisie abruptly halted work on the project and refunded club memberships, and began squabbling with local officials over property valuation and sewer obligations. During the period that the club was under construction, Haystack’s original base lodge was demolished, and the newer “upper” base lodge was gutted. After a court battle with the town, Foisie won a reduction in the assessment for the property.
But now, in what should be an important economic development boost to the valley, Barnes is moving forward almost as if the project never stumbled. “Our intention is to open the ski area this year,” he said. “Effective Monday, we hired a number of people to get the Hayfever lift running and certified, and start preparing the snowmaking equipment.”
Barnes’ Hermitage Inn will also be linked to the overall resort. “The intention is really to complete the vision that was laid out, to have a private ski community and golf club,” Barnes says. But his company has also acquired a number of properties that lie between the Hermitage and the ski area, which could allow direct access between the two establishments.
Originally, Haystack Club memberships were set at $85,000. Barnes says memberships under his ownership will be substantially more affordable - $25,000, with a $5,000 discount going to the first 100 buyers. “In addition to that, we’re going to have what we’re terming a founders’ club,” Barnes says. “Families and individuals can come in at $250,000 increments and become founders and equity owners in the club.”
The real estate sales strategy also represents a departure from the past. Barnes says the company is marketing the townhouse units on the multiple listing service (MLS). “We’re offering a four to five percent co-broke for anyone bringing a buyer in,” Barnes said. “That’s by far the largest co-broke percentage anyone offers.”
The Wilmington Selectboard has approved the lease of glebe land, a municipally-owned property which includes many of the ski trails, to Barnes.
Read more: Deerfield Valley News - New owners close deal on Haystack ski area work restarts
New owners close deal on Haystack ski area, work restarts
by Mike Eldred
WILMINGTON- The saws were singing and hammers banging at Haystack, just hours after Hermitage Inn owner Jim Barnes and his Hermitage Inn real estate holding company closed a deal on the golf course, ski area, and associated real estate.
Barnes may be redefining what it means to “hit the ground running.” The company put the final ink on the deal on Friday afternoon. On Saturday, Barnes started operating the Haystack Golf Course. Over the weekend, Barnes says, he sold several Haystack Club memberships. On Monday morning, carpenters were already at work at Haystack Ski Area finishing three of the units in the only townhouse that was constructed by the previous owner. And next Monday? “We’re starting on the framing of the next building,” Barnes says.
Barnes says that he has retained all current staff at Haystack Golf Course, and has already moved to rehire some former Haystack Club employees, including Bob Rubin, who played a key role in the planning and development of the club.
Barnes says he plans to move forward with the Haystack Club concept developed by the former owner, Bob Foisie, and his company, 1 Cornell Inc. Foisie broke ground on the project in fall 2006. His ambitious project included the construction of 118 four-unit townhouses, an 81-unit condominium complex on the upper mountain area, an 89-unit condominium complex on the lower mountain area, a 162-unit hotel, as well as an extensive remodeling of the former Haystack Upper Base Lodge, a new base lodge, restaurant, spa complex, a centrally located propane facility, and a mountain operations building. The private resort was slated to be open only to guests, with almost no public access. The club would, however, sell as many as 250 lift tickets per day to local residents.
The club also planned the construction of a “chondola” combination chairlift and gondola, as well as snowmaking and trail improvements.
Four months after breaking ground, however, Foisie abruptly halted work on the project and refunded club memberships, and began squabbling with local officials over property valuation and sewer obligations. During the period that the club was under construction, Haystack’s original base lodge was demolished, and the newer “upper” base lodge was gutted. After a court battle with the town, Foisie won a reduction in the assessment for the property.
But now, in what should be an important economic development boost to the valley, Barnes is moving forward almost as if the project never stumbled. “Our intention is to open the ski area this year,” he said. “Effective Monday, we hired a number of people to get the Hayfever lift running and certified, and start preparing the snowmaking equipment.”
Barnes’ Hermitage Inn will also be linked to the overall resort. “The intention is really to complete the vision that was laid out, to have a private ski community and golf club,” Barnes says. But his company has also acquired a number of properties that lie between the Hermitage and the ski area, which could allow direct access between the two establishments.
Originally, Haystack Club memberships were set at $85,000. Barnes says memberships under his ownership will be substantially more affordable - $25,000, with a $5,000 discount going to the first 100 buyers. “In addition to that, we’re going to have what we’re terming a founders’ club,” Barnes says. “Families and individuals can come in at $250,000 increments and become founders and equity owners in the club.”
The real estate sales strategy also represents a departure from the past. Barnes says the company is marketing the townhouse units on the multiple listing service (MLS). “We’re offering a four to five percent co-broke for anyone bringing a buyer in,” Barnes said. “That’s by far the largest co-broke percentage anyone offers.”
The Wilmington Selectboard has approved the lease of glebe land, a municipally-owned property which includes many of the ski trails, to Barnes.
Read more: Deerfield Valley News - New owners close deal on Haystack ski area work restarts
