Blazer says ORDA is A-OK

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June 9, 2010

By LOHR McKINSTRY Staff Writer The Press Republican Wed Jun 09, 2010, 09:14 AM EDT

ELIZABETHTOWN — Despite having its funding cut in one version of the new state budget, the Olympic Regional Development Authority is doing fine, its CEO says.

ORDA Chief Executive Officer Ted Blazer told the Essex County Board of Supervisors this week that he wanted to report on his group's status since many believed it was in trouble.

"We're alive, and we're well. We're included in the (state budget) emergency extender bills.

"As you know, we're a winter-peaking business, so the state appropriation is very important to us at this time of year."

Without a budget, the legislature has been passing weekly extension bills to keep state government running.

FUNDING PICTURE

The Senate version of the budget would end state funding for ORDA, Gov. David Paterson's budget would give $5.6 million to ORDA, and the Assembly version would give it the same $6.6 million it received previously.

ORDA officials have said the authority would shut down without any state funding.

Blazer said that since winter receipts are a few months off, they're being very frugal.

"We have been controlling our spending very tightly. We've been staffing a little differently at the venues, using more core staff."

SKI CENTERS

ORDA has some capital projects under way, including an interconnect from Gore Mountain Ski Center to the North Creek Ski Bowl.

"That is in its second year of construction," Blazer said. "We expect to have that for this ski season."

NEW SIGNS

He said they received a $260,000 grant to work with the Wild Center in Tupper Lake on interpretive signage along roads.

"It's (signage) accentuating how important that facility is to the region. It is truly a landmark."

WHITEFACE HONOR

Whiteface Mountain Ski Center was voted the No. 1 ski area in the eastern United States by Ski Magazine, Blazer mentioned.

"In spite of what people say about state facilities, and in spite of the tough economy, Whiteface was able to shine through. We're very proud of that."

This season, Disney On Ice and Empire State Games will be back in Lake Placid at ORDA facilities, Blazer told supervisors.

"It's important to continue on with our menu, keep people coming to the region, so we can all thrive and prosper."

CONFERENCE CENTER

ORDA's $20 million Olympic Conference Center project, which is partially completed, was put on hold April 1, Blazer said, but just until a state budget is passed.

All state funds due by March 31 are being put into a reserve fund, he said.

"Thanks to the (contractors) who stuck with us and extended their bids, we're going to keep this project going. We know how important is it."

He said they're not canceling any May and June bookings for 2011 for the new center because they believe it will be completed at the beginning of next year.

"We have a brilliant future ahead of us."

E-mail Lohr McKinstry at: lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com