Town residents vote to support ski jump rebuild

SALISBURY — The proposal for the town to provide credit support for the Salisbury Winter Sports Association’s plan to rebuild the ski jump passed easily at a special town meeting Friday, March 5, at the Congregational church.

The first question, “To consider and vote upon a resolution to approve a special appropriation for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, in an amount not to exceed $140,000 for the purpose of providing credit support to Salisbury Winter Sports Association, Inc., in connection with the financing of the reconstruction of its facilities,†passed by a vote of 141 for and two against.

The second question, “To consider and vote upon a resolution expressing support for the inclusion of a similar appropriation for the same purpose in future town budgets through and including the budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014,†passed by a vote of 136 to six.

SWSA approached the town last month with the request for financial backing. Time was of the essence; SWSA had received an offer from the United States Ski and Snowboard Association to host two events for the 2011 Junior Olympics, ski jumping and Nordic combined.

The catch: First, the ski jump, judging tower and landing hill all had to be rebuilt or improved in order to host the events; and second, USSA required a response by March 10.

When SWSA first met with the Board of Finance in February to discuss the matter, the $140,000 figure was derived by dividing the estimated total cost of the project — $700,000 — by five years. At that time SWSA had raised about $160,000.

Since then, fundraising efforts have gone over the $400,000 mark, according to SWSA treasurer Jon Higgins. A model ski jump in front of the Academy building on Main Street — built by Don Breslauer  and Cricket Trotta — has a running total attached, using the familiar graphic of a thermometer.

The hope is that SWSA will never actually have to tap into town funds.

The town meeting was called for Town Hall and was convened there at 7:30 p.m. However, due to the anticipated crowd, arrangements had been made to take the meeting across the street to the Congregational church’s meeting space. Len Stewart moderated; the meeting was reconvened around 7:50 p.m. and adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

To make a contribution to the Salisbury Winter Sports Association fund to rebuild the ski jump, send a check made out to BTCF/SWSA to the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, 271 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230 or donate online at berkshiretaconic.org.