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November 21, 2008

Lean times ahead for Olympic Authority

By JACOB RESNECK

LAKE PLACID — Belt tightening continues at the Olympic Regional Development Authority, which operates the Olympic venues and two Adirondack ski resorts.

The financial report for a six-month period ending in October showed operating revenues nearly $570,000 lower than the year before. That's led to an overall loss of $1.16 million during that period, primarily due to cuts in state aid to agencies and authorities.

ORDA President/CEO Ted Blazer told the board recently that ORDA has already cut more than $900,000 from its budget this fall by scaling back seasonal staff and streamlining operations. He said the agency is embarking on a third wave of cutbacks in a bid to create a reserve fund for the winter.

"We're looking at some savings in staffing and operations. All told, I think our savings will reflect $1.8 million as we head into the winter," Blazer told board members.

Blazer did not elaborate on where precisely the cuts would be.

But it wasn't all doom and gloom. Ski-pass sales are strong, and the Olympic venues continue to book international competitions, including bobsled, figure skating, ski jumping and hockey.

"We have more events in one community in one year — aside from an Olympic Games — more than any community in the world," Blazer said.

SKI-AREA EXPANSIONS
Board members also signed off on $1.2 million in additional money to finance expansions at its two ski areas. The board had approved the package in September, but the lender wanted a more formal resolution.

The $9.2 million total has gone toward Lookout Mountain and Burnt Ridge additions at Whiteface and Gore mountains. Both are on schedule to be ready this season.

Town of Johnsburg Supervisor Sterling Goodspeed praised the ORDA Board for expanding Gore Mountain, saying it's having an immediate effect on North Creek. He said more than a dozen local businesses have opened in anticipation of an expanded ski economy.

"It's going to do beautiful things for our regional economy."



CONFERENCE CENTER
ORDA Chairman Joe Martens said architects are working on a pared-down version of what was an ambitious new conference center in Lake Placid.

The Olympic Authority had budgeted $18 million for the project, but bids came back in excess of $34 million, causing the project to be suspended.

Martens said a new architect has been working on a concept that would renovate the existing convention center without breaking the bank.

"We're trying to design the space that we need for a convention facility within the basic footprint of the building as it exists today, and we think that we can do it," he told the Press-Republican.

Martens said he expected a revised plan would be unveiled when the board reconvenes in three months' time.

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