CHAIRLIFT READY TO GO AT BRUCE MOUND
Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 -- 9:44 AM
With some snow flying in central Wisconsin, winter sports lovers are getting psyched.Bruce Mound Winter Sports area near Hatfield underwent more improvements over the summer. When the hill opens in December, visitors will be able to use a chairlift to get from the chalet to the top of the expert slopes.
Mark Heil of the Clark County Forestry and Parks Department says the project cost around $440,000. $200,000 came from private donors, the rest was covered by the county.
"The ultimate decision was to purchase a refurbished chair from Superior Tramways out of Spokane (Washington), and, for the most part, do the installation ourselves," Heil says.
Work on the lift began last year, and was completed over the summer.
The chairlift will take skiers and snowboarders from near the chalet to the top of Old Main. That?s a 340-foot elevation change, and a distance of nearly 1,400-feet.
Heil says the chairlift will be a big improvement from the current T-Bar set-up.
"There are a couple groups of people you're helping to serve better. One being mid-age to older-age, that don't have the amount of stamina to be on their feet all the time. It offers a break," he explains.
"They will also serve snowboard enthusiasts. T-bars can be very difficult for snowboarders," he says.
Data indicates the addition of the chairlift will increase usership at the hill. As a result, the Forestry and Parks Committee has increased some rates at the hill.
Crews usually start making snow after the 9-day gun-deer season. Bruce Mound should be open by December 11.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.