Sunday, March 18, 2007
The Sugarloaf Outdoor Center will undergo a $1.35 million makeover bankrolled mostly by town taxpayers, despite uncertainty about who will oversee its operations if Sugarloaf/USA is sold.
Carrabassett Valley voters Wednesday night agreed, 69-20, to borrow $1.2 million for the overhaul. That action occurred at a town meeting dominated by discussion about the supposed sale of the ski resort, which is owned by American Skiing Co.
The money will fund trail improvements, a new skating rink, the renovation of the existing lodge and construction of a 2,900-square-foot addition, which will double the lodge's capacity and accommodate 150 people. Another $162,690 will come from Carrabassett Valley's coffers and revenue received from the Maine Department of Conservation and the Public Lot Fund.
The town has owned the touring center since it opened to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice skating in 1975, but it leases the center to Sugarloaf.
The total municipal budget approved was $1.7 million -- not including Outdoor Center improvements -- up 3.1 percent from last year, nudging the tax rate up from $6.40 per $1,000 of property valuation in 2006 to $6.60, according to the town manager's report .
Voters approved $25,000 for a new Zamboni and $5,000 toward fundraising for a new library/multipurpose center.
All incumbents on the ballot were re-elected.
- Blethen Maine News Service
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