Hatcher Pass plan deserves a chance

Concerning the Frontiersman editorial of Sept. 20, dealing with the Hatcher Pass “A New Beginning,” it is good to know that the Frontiersman supports added activities at area. I disagree with the editorial conclusion drawn and I would like to explain.

As the general manager of the Eaglecrest ski area, I have been in the ski business since 1978. I would like to share some thoughts about the project. This plan is based on day use, which has a greatly reduced price tag from previous plans. In fact, the cost of a year-round ski destination is significantly higher than the $18-20 million that this study recommends.

The state of Alaska and the Borough have tried to market a year-round ski destination or four-season resort at least three times in the last 20 years. None of these attempts has succeeded for a variety of reasons. Most notable is public opposition to the large scale of the development being proposed.

At this stage, the Borough is simply agreeing to move forward with conceptual and environmental planning, which is actually being paid by the federal government’s highway funds. There are many go, no-go points ahead where decisions will need to be made with public input.

Given the present and quickly growing population of the Mat-Su Borough, the ski area’s economic indicators say the ski area should break even within one or two years after initial startup. Eaglecrest does not break even as there are only 30,000 people in town. The 80,000-plus living in the Valley, the plan to increase utilization through night operations and the quasi-governmental approach, which will limit labor costs, will make this operation a sound financial investment.

In addition, the quality of life issues that the ski area will positively address will round out the project and make the project desirable on many levels.

My entire professional career has been spent in the development and management of various sized ski areas throughout the United States. This includes operations by both the private and public sectors.

Based on my experience, I am convinced that the approach that the assembly is proceeding on is a sound one that will serve the public well. If the public wants quality Alpine and Nordic skiing in their backyard and in the foreseeable future, the public should support the process that the Mat-Su Borough is currently using.

A timeline has been adopted that requires public involvement and participation on all phases of the project. This includes environmental review, size and scale of the project, types of funding sources, and type of ownership and management structure.

I recommend that the public gives this new approach an opportunity and that they participate in the process. The recreational opportunities being suggested in “Hatcher Pass — a New Beginning” provides a sound approach to seeing the dreams of many local residents for over 30 years become reality. To oppose the project from the outset, without giving it a chance to develop through a sound public process, is short-sighted.

Kirk Duncan

General manager

Eaglecrest Ski Area

Juneau