Kitchener, March 21, 2011 – Chicopee Ski Club gathered around its North chairlift yesterday to celebrate and commemorate “the last ride” before it is dismantled to make way for the new quad chairlift coming this Fall.  It was an exciting day for members, staff and volunteers who came out to witness the special event and close the 2011 winter season with much pride, excitement and emotion.  The last ride was dedicated to the entire Club as well as an honourary member Bill Duench who is Chicopee’s longest-standing member of 71 years.  He was accompanied on the ride by Steve Lockner, the 2010 President of the Board of Directors and Keith Reinhardt – Manager of Operations who has been with Chicopee for 38 years.

“This is the beginning of a brand new era for skiers and snowboarders in the Tri-City area” states Reg Verley, COO and Executive Director of the 76 year-old Ski Club. “ And this is only the first step of many designed to upgrade and extend existing facilities”.

At an Annual General Meeting last October, Chicopee’s membership approved the purchase of a new chairlift for the North Hill, where a triple-chair lift will be replaced by a quad lift well ahead of next year’s ski season. Serving one of the Club’s most popular runs, this new lift will be able to bring up to 2,400 people per hour to the top of the hill. 

Chicopee Ski Club has 3,000 members and is governed by a volunteer board of directors; it has always sought to serve the public first by offering affordable and accessible outdoor activities, programs and lessons to local people.

A not-for-profit organization with a proud and successful history stretching back to 1934, Chicopee’s members have always relied on the Club’s traditions of inclusiveness, family fun and innovation to guide decision-making processes. With these traditions in mind, the Board of Directors and Management Team, after consultation with other community stakeholders, recently developed a ten-year strategic plan – Vision 2020 – which will not only improve existing programs and services, but introduce brand new activity and entertainment facilities as well. 

Vision 2020 is a bold and exciting plan for the future that will require community and corporate support in order to succeed. Starting this year, Chicopee will begin actively inviting support from the communities it serves: watch for opportunities to sponsor, donate and volunteer!
 
We invite local and regional media to support our Club and its members through coverage of the special events and ongoing programming we have scheduled for this season. And please watch for more information regarding a “groundbreaking” fundraiser we have planned for this Fall! 

In his speech at yesterday’s event, Reg Verley announced that the old lift chairs from North will be available for sale throughout the upcoming months through an online auction and at various events.  Each purchaser will receive their chair with a personalized name plate and certificate recognizing their contribution.  He advised everyone to watch the website and emailers for details on this one-of-a time sale.

For more information regarding Vision 2020, the progress of the new Quad Chairlift, fundraising,  Chicopee’s memberships, tickets, programs, camps, events and facilities, please call Guest Services.

For more information or questions regarding this Press Release, please contact:

Lori McCrae
Manager, Business Development
P. 519-894-5610 x238
C. 519-501-6346
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