09/27/2006

Skiing again at Sugar Loaf?

New owner hopeful the lifts will be running

By PATRICK SULLIVAN

psullivan@record-eagle.com

Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael Stump
Sugar Loaf Resort in Cedar may be reopened for skiing this winter.

See related story:
Sugar Loaf to focus on snowboarders - April 30, 2006

CEDAR — Chair lifts could roll when the snow flies at Sugar Loaf Resort this winter.

Resort owner Kate Wickstrom is optimistic skiing can return to the Leelanau County resort for the first time since 2000, despite a dispute over sewer service that threatens to keep the ski hill closed.

"We're going to at least open up for a little bit of skiing this winter," Wickstrom said. "We're trying to get things going."

But lawyers are still working on a dispute with Sugar Loaf Service Co., owner of the two golf courses and the sewer plant at the resort. The company terminated the sewer connection to the lodge property over allegations that Wickstrom hadn't made sewer payments since she took over in early 2005.

The service company demanded more than $100,000 in past bills, charges disputed by Wickstrom's attorney, Joseph Quandt, who said the service company wants to charge Sugar Loaf for services never rendered and charge an unreasonable monthly fee to use the system, according to correspondence between Quandt and the state.

Wickstrom said she hopes the dispute can be resolved.

Quandt and representatives of the service company could not be reached for comment.

Meanwhile, Sugar Loaf has looked for an alternative to the service company's sewer system.

William Crawford, environmental health director for the Benzie Leelanau District Health Department, said if Sugar Loaf comes up with a plan to generate a small enough amount of waste this winter, the resort could be eligible for county approval of a drain field, an alternative to the sewer system.

Crawford said he believes there is still enough time for Sugar Loaf to get a permit and construct a drain field.

"It wouldn't be easy, certainty, but we have decent weather into November, so it wouldn't be impossible," Crawford said. "It's obviously getting late."

Mark Doman, manager of the ski area safety unit with the Department of Labor and Economic Growth, said the state has been working with Sugar Loaf to get ski lifts certified.

He said at least one lift should be ready to go this winter.

"They have not applied, but we are working with them, anticipating that they will," Doman said.

Because the lifts have gone unused for years, they are "de-grandfathered" and need to meet current standards in order to be certified, Doman said.

"I think it will be great if they open up the ski lifts," said Tim Ewing, chair of the Cleveland Township planning commission. "I know it has been their intention to try to open something up this winter."

Approval for a planned use development on the property — one that might include new skateboard and snowboard facilities, condos, an RV park and more housing — is not needed to open the ski hill, which is already an approved use at Sugar Loaf, Ewing said.