Our ski area’s first permanent shelter is getting closer to becoming a reality. Since the end of the ski season, we have hired Cristee-Meade Building Company in Cedaredge to construct the Skyway Station. Cristee-Meade has experience working on the Grand Mesa. In 2017, they rebuilt the Grand Mesa Lodge, just below the County Line Trailhead. They are currently working with Chamberlin Architects to finalize the plans for our next submission to the Forest Service. In addition to ensuring that the design meets all Forest Service requirements, Cristee-Meade is working on cost-saving changes to our initial design to create a building that meets our needs while also fitting our budget.

We already have Forest Service approval of our 30% design, and we’re on the cusp of the next step: submitting the 60% design to the Forest Service. At this stage, the Forest Service will send the project out for a 30-day public comment period. Finally, we’ll submit the 90% design and construction documents for approval. The Forest Service has been supportive throughout the process and is working with us to ensure that we meet their standards. We remain on target to break ground in summer of 2025.

You can find more information about the project, learn about the Enterprise Zone tax credit you can earn by giving to the campaign, or make a donation or pledge here: https://staging.gmnc.org/join/future.

Our fundraising is on track, and we are getting ready to kick it into high gear as the season approaches. We’ve already raised more than $70,000 since the end of last ski season, and we’re looking to raise the rest before the end of the year. Our goal is $1.3 million. We’re 75 percent of the way there and the donations and grants we’ve received already are earning interest in our investment accounts as we work toward meeting our final goal.

We will have designs and an updated budget to share at our season kickoff events, October 27 in Cedaredge and November 9 in Grand Junction. In the meantime, we’ll be posting updates on the project’s website.