The town of Windham is a scene out of an 80’s ski movie - Kemmons Wilson Property Hospitality Partners bought the mountain and started making changes that have a ripple effect on the community.
In real life, there won’t be a ski race down Wolverine to determine who stays and who leaves town. We all want to improve the mountain and community, so we have to find a way to work together.
Windham Mountain from Upper Wolverine
Emotions are high around this topic, and we filtered through them to bring you these facts on the matter:
04.27.23
Windham Mountain announced the new majority owners and plans to reduce lift lines, improve dining, develop townhomes, expand the golf course, and add amenities such as swimming, horseback riding and racket sports for an elevated all-season resort experience.
07.23.23
Resort president Chip Seamans presented the master plan below to the Planning Board, fueled by an investment of $70 million. Revisions are underway for formal application. After a Site Plan Review, there will be a Public Hearing date set, and neighbors within 500’ will receive a notification letter by mail. All who wish to speak on the matter may be heard on record.
Windham Mountain Club Initial Resort Master Plan Submitted for Planning Board Sketch Plan Conference
09.23.23
A petition began on www.change.org called “Stop Windham Mountain from Going Private,” led by an anonymous whistleblower under the pen name Simon Saez. 713 people signed in the first month.
10.02.23
Windham Mountain was rebranded Windham Mountain Club (“WMC”), with marketing messages of improvements to the restaurants, snowmaking, and lift lines.
The full access season pass price went up to $1899, and day passes range from $90 to $160, making WMC the 5th most expensive mountain in the USA, and the 1st in the Northeast.
10.04.23
A letter to Windham Mountain residents discontinued Home Services (except snow plowing and basic road services).
10.09.23
Chip Seamans stated that WMC is not becoming a private ski resort, and there will always be skiing access to the general public.
10.10.23
91 community members gathered on zoom to articulate concerns in a civil forum (there were no literal or figurative pitchforks). Attendees included representatives from hotels, restaurants, attractions, emergency services, small businesses, short term rentals, full-time homeowners and second homeowners. A committee will organize the concerns and request enforceable, binding assurances that they will be addressed by the WMC owners. Contact Derrek Shannon at 631-335-3557 for more info.
10.19.23
The fire commissioner requested notification from the Planning Board of developments 3 stories or larger, in order to prepare long-term plans to secure resources such as a ladder truck. He signaled an opportunity to ask developers to protect their investment by donating funding for emergency services. Improvements to our infrastructure will have a positive impact on the community.
What's coming up next?
Some have said ‘a rising tide lifts all boats.’ Others point out that rowboats can’t go out to deep ocean. How will everyone’s boat fare? Time will tell.
Want to know how this might affect your property in the Catskills?
You can book an appointment to speak with Liz Saunier, Architect directly about your property.