Maine Winter Sports Center
New England Ski Presence: 2000-2014
Maine Winter Sports Center Overview and History:
Maine Winter Sports Center was established in 1999 as a way to bring skiing to rural communities. Backed with tens of millions of dollars of grants from the Libra Foundation, the organization has grown significantly.
Circa 1999, Maine Winter Sports Center signed a 99 year lease with the Quoggy Joe Ski Club, with MWSC operating Quoggy Jo ski area and using land to construct the Nordic Heritage Center.
In 2000, Maine Winter Sports Center purchased Big Rock ski area in the northern part of the state.
In 2003, Maine Winter Sports Center purchased Black Mountain in Rumford, Maine and quickly expanded the ski area.
In June of 2013, the Maine Winter Sports Center announced plans to close Black Mountain, effective immediately, with the hope of finding a non-profit buyer. The Maine Winter Sports Center also announced in June their intent to close Big Rock ski area and exit the alpine ski business. Black Mountain and Big Rock were later transferred to new owners to avoid closure.
Meanwhile, the lease with Quoggy Joe Ski Club was terminated in 2014, reverting operational control of Quoggy Jo ski area back to the ski club. The Nordic Heritage Center was transferred to Pineland Farms, held by the October Corporation, owned by the Libra Foundation.
Maine Winter Sports Center Resources on NewEnglandSkiHistory.com:
Big Rock
Black Mountain
Quoggy Jo
Maine Winter Sports Center External Links:
Maine Winter Sports Center - official site
Libra Foundation - official site
Last updated: April 22, 2015
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