Ski Area Needs Room

With construction of the new gondola well under way at the Peak 8 base area, resort officials are looking for a little extra room in their ski school and rental facilities.

The plan, subject to town review, is to put up two temporary tent-like structures this year. A 2,200 square-foot facillity for ski school, to be located just uphill of the existing Kids Kastle, and a 4,800 square-foot structure to provide rental services, proposed for the Peak 8 parking lot.

The existing 3,200 square-foot rental building will be remodeled into a locker room and first-aid facility. Both will be reviewed by the town's planning commission Aug. 1.

The resort is requesting a variance from town codes that specify size and a two-year limit for temporary structures. According to town manager Tim Gagen, the resort sought input from the planning commission during an earlier work session (Nov. 2005). At the time, the planning commission expressed concerns about the architectural compatibility of the buildings, as well as the length of time they might be standing.

While the board wasn't enthusiastic about the aesthetics of the buildings, the need for some temporary facillities is generally recognized, Gagen said.