The Board Bulletin is a digest of the workings of the Mad River Glen Cooperative, published by the Board of Trustees for the benefit of our shareholders.
What you’re reading here—the first Board Bulletin of the 2022/ski season—is an outcome of the newly minted revision to the Co-op’s strategic plan, which the Board presented at the Annual Shareholder meeting last April. Through the research process, we heard loud and clear that our owner custodians expect more communication, transparency, and opportunities to participate in the ongoing mission of the Cooperative. In the most recent Board meeting, the Board approved a Communications Committee to do just that. Going forward, as a shareholder, you can expect a bulletin after each Board meeting that will feature the most important updates from around the Co-op, and calls for action when they’re needed. Read on and help us spread the word!
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From the Management Report presented by General Manager, Matt Lillard
Following the Co-op’s strategic plan, the Board and management are working to find ways to expand skiing opportunities at the mountain. We’re looking at the cost of installing a mid-station on the Sunnyside Double, which would provide skiing on the main mountain when skiers would otherwise be limited to the Practice Slope. (Note that snowmaking now extends up to “Kay’s Grove,” above the Birdcage under the Double.) Stay tuned for updates, as this work is in preparation for a vote at the Annual Shareholders Meeting in April.
The Facilities Committee has sent out a request for proposal (RFP) to design firms to bid on work to renovate the pub (excluding the fireplace area), with goals around improved flow, safety, structural and energy efficiency upgrades, and flood prevention. Details to come as they develop.
The Co-op is in a strong cash position after robust pass sales last Spring and this Fall. To cover the capital needs over the next few years, the Finance Committee is reviewing a variety of approaches that involve cash on-hand in our Rainy Day fund, funds from philanthropic giving, and financing.
Stark Mountain Foundation (SMF) has been an essential partner to the Co-op for every one of our historic and highly visible campaigns, from the Single Chair to Preserve our Paradise. But did you know how SMF has supported the Co-op more recently?
From SMF’s “Year in Review”:
Our 2021 Annual Fund raised over $200,000 that we put to work by:
Helping keep MRG youth safe in the backcountry by funding the launch of the Backcountry Education Program; Creating a sunny place to sit at the bottom of Slalom Hill by adding a new deck on the Kent Thomas Nature Center; Replacing the Bunny bridge; Reducing future energy use, increasing employee comfort, and helping preserve the Bridge Buildings by supporting two thirds of the renovation and painting costs… and much more.