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Camden Parks & Recreation
P.O. Box 1207
Camden, ME 04843
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207.236.3438
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Redevelopment
Redevelopment Plans for the Ragged Mountain Recreation Area
Since the fall of 2006 several town committees and groups of consultants have been working on a plan to redevelop the Ragged Mountain Recreation Area (home of the Camden Snow Bowl). Below you can learn more about this project and download copies of the plans, reports, financial projections and sketches that are being proposed. This exciting project is designed to update the facilities of the recreation area for sustainable community use well through the middle of the 21st century.
Design for a new lodge at the Ragged Mountain Recreation Area:
The Ragged Mountain Recreation Area Redevelopment Committee of the Town of Camden chose Stephen Blatt Architects of Portland to design the new lodge at the Camden Snow Bowl/Ragged Mountain Recreation Area. The committee received qualification statements from 23 architectural firms and interviewed nine of the firms prior to their decision.
"We were fortunate to receive proposals from so many well qualified architects, including three firms from our community" said Rick Knowlton, co-chair of the Redevelopment Committee. "In part the large response is a sign of the economic times, but in part it's also the opportunity to be involved in a very unique project." Knowlton said that the committee came away from the interview process with tremendous enthusiasm for the next phase of the project. "Every firm interviewed told us in their own way that we have a wonderful plan for a very special place. Mr. Blatt did an outstanding job describing how his experience could help us design the focal point for the Ragged Mountain Recreation Area."
Stephen Blatt Architects is a Maine firm known for award winning designs. The firm recently completed the North Haven School and Islesboro Schools. Both projects involved combining private and public funds to create significant new community buildings. A sense of the firm's design philosophy can be found in their brochure: "We firmly believe that all good buildings begin with words. So we ask a lot of questions and listen carefully. We observe, we do our homework. Only then do we pick up our pencils. When finally built, such a well-communicated structure speaks for itself and compliments its surroundings. It looks like it's always been there."
A new four-season lodge is the central component of a planned $6.5 million redevelopment of the Ragged Mountain Recreation Area. Other changes include improved road and trail access, parking, utility infrastructure, and improvements to the ski operations such as new lifts, an expanded beginner area and additional snowmaking. $4.5 million is being sought through private donations and grants, and the Town of Camden is expected to vote on a $2 million bond to cover the final 30% of the project after the initial funds are secured. "Although our economic climate is very challenging, we have found a tremendous amount of support for this project in the community" says Bob Gordon, president of the Ragged Mountain Recreation Area Foundation. "Fundraising is well underway and we are quite encouraged by the response throughout the Midcoast area." As of New Years 2012 over half of the fundraising goal has been met.
Special Fundraising Initiatives
"Buy a Chair, Get a Lift"
The Ragged Mountain Recreation Area Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that was formed in 1991 to support infrastructure improvements at the Ragged Mountain Recreation Area. This organization is managing the fundraising for the project. (Donations to this project are tax deductible.) During the summer of 2009 a triple chairlift came on the market that will perfectly fit the needs and the budget of this project so the Foundation went ahead and purchased the lift with the intent of eventually donating it to the Town of Camden. But the purchase and shipping costs are only a small percentage of the cost of putting the lift on the mountain, so the "Buy a Chair, Get a Lift" campaign was launched. For a donation of $10,000 or more individuals, families, or businesses will have their generous donation recognized with a plaque on one of the new chairs on the lift. When all the chairs are sponsored, the cost of the lift will be covered.
"A Special Friend and a Special Opportunity"
There is a very special person in our community who's caring nature, kindness, and commitment to the community is truly inspirational. This person is now experiencing a most difficult time in her life - one that would cause most people to become discouraged. But being true to herself this determined individual continues to have an indomitable spirit. She loves to ski, hike and snowshoe, grew up in Camden, and continues to be a strong advocate for this project. The Ragged Mountain Recreation Area Foundation's Capital Campaign Committee wishes to name the Great Room in the new Ragged Mountain Lodge in honor of Sara Montgomery. The goal is to raise more than $500,000 in Sara's honor toward the completion of the $4.5 million fundraising campaign.
Donation cards are available at the Snow Bowl lodge. Multi-year pledges are welcomed, as are gifts of appreciated securities. Gifts of any amount are encouraged. This project will benefit families throughout the mid-coast region and beyond for several generations. Please consider making a generous donation today. Donations may also be sent directly to the Ragged Mountain Recreation Area Foundation, PO Box 438, Camden, ME 04843. For further information about large gifts, multi-year pledges, gifts of securities, and bequests, please contact georgemueller@roadrunner.com.
For an update on the fundraising efforts in 2011 please click here.
Redevelopment Plans for Viewing and Download
Below are various documents that describe the design of the project, the rationale for redeveloping the recreation area, and the plan to insure its sustainability for the next few generations. Additional information and sketches will be added to this site as they become available.
Sustainability Plan and Projected Future Budgets for the Redeveloped Recreation Area:
Market Demand Analysis for New Lodge
Redevelopment Project Costs:
Site Plans and Renderings:
Lodge Plans and Model Views:
Horizons Engineering Reports and Recommendations on Ski Area Operations:
Ski Area Concept Plan 8/20/2008
Long Range Feasibility Report Dec 2006
The Ragged Mountain Recreation Area Foundation and the Ragged Mountain Recreation Area Redevelopment Committee are dedicated to developing an all-season facility at the Ragged Mountain Recreation Area that will serve the community, utilize our natural resources, and serve as a catalyst for expanded economic opportunities. Click below to download RMRAF brochure.
RMRAF Brochure
Join Our Newsletter List to Learn More about Upcoming Progress Reports
As the redevelopment project progresses in upcoming months public presentations will be made to show the plans and explain the status of the project. Please join our electronic newsletter list to hear about those upcoming presentations and to learn how you can get involved and contribute to the project. The link to the newsletter is on the left side of this webpage.
