Advocates for the Hickory Hills Ski Area in Traverse City can move forward with plans to expand the city-owned park. The city commission voted last night to pledge $1.5 million toward the project, which would include a new lodge and parking lot. The money would come out of the Brown Bridge Trust Fund.
Commissioner Jim Carruthers said the expansion will draw visitors to the ski area year-round.
“This will be a place that people are going to want to go to," said Carruthers. "They’re going to want to have their family reunion there. They’re going to want to have their wedding there. They’re going to want to have a music venue in the summer. It’s not just winter sports.”
Commissioner Barbra Budrosvoted against the appropriation, saying it was “premature.”
“I haven’t got any information yet on how it’s going to be operated, how it’s going to be managed, who is going to hire the personnel," said Budros. "Is this going to become a city department? I have nothing on the operations and how this is going to play out.”
Supporters now have two years try to find matching grant funds to pay for the expansion.