Chicopee is looking forward to summer!

We are preparing for an exciting summer with our programs, facility rental and full catering services. We trust we can count on you to visit us and tell your friends about this great facility.

A new reality impacting Chicopee quickly is the development of homes in our neighborhood. We plan to work closely with them to ensure they take full advantage of what we have to offer. Contrary to a public park that is provided free by municipal governments, Chicopee leases its property from the GRCA. The governance of the property from a liability issue is restricted to Chicopee products and services. It is our intention to dialogue with the neighbourhood to see how we can maintain a great relationship.

Lift replacement plans are underway, exploring the possibilities of financing and replacing two chair lifts. The North Chair which is the main carrier to the top of the hill is 35 years old and the Sugar Bowl Chair is 38 years old. The target date for this project to begin is next summer, with at least one chair being installed. Our commitment to purchase the chair will be considered in November based on available financing.  We will be launching a fund raising campaign in the near future hoping we can secure enough cash to undertake both chairs. The projected cost for this to happen is $3.5 million.

As the Region and neighbourhood continue to evolve, Chicopee will have to refocus its operations to ensure it meets this changing environment. We will be calling on the corporate sector and the various levels of government for their help in making this existing gem within our Region much more appealing.

At the present time, Chicopee Ski Club pays a lease of approximately $100,000 per year, pays property taxes of $90,000 per year. These are important facts as we are often confronted why people have to pay to play on the property. We receive no financial assistance from our governments. We are a self-sustaining operation that reinvests its profits in maintaining the property. This we are proud of. The future brings a need for financial assistance with injection of infrastructure dollars to help us maintain and expand the property. We trust for can count on the people in the Region to get involved in keeping Chicopee a vibrant facility that contributes to healthy lifestyles of so many.

In closing, to all of our existing members, program participants and facility users we do want to say “thank you” for making Chicopee such as great place.