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Ken Smith/Turnagain Times |
By Ken Smith
Turnagain Times
Alyeska Resort owner, John Byrne, was guest speaker for the second time in three years at this year’s Girdwood 2020 Ninth Annual Dinner and fundraiser.
The event was held Saturday, Feb. 14 in the main ballroom at Alyeska. As usual, the room was filled with leading businessmen and women from Anchorage to Girdwood, as well as local politicians.
Former U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens attended as well as U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski. Also attending was acting Anchorage Mayor Matt Claman.
Claman and Murkowski made brief speeches. The most rousing applause came when Sen. Murkowski looked at Stevens and said, “Since you have gone things have gone to hell and a hand basket.”
Byrne then came to the podium and presented an overview of things to come at Alyeska. He was reserved with his comments regarding development plans due to the current recession. But, for the most part, he retained an upbeat tone when outlining the resort’s future plans.
“Now half-way through the third season (of ownership), time has really flown by,” he said. “The hotel renovations in the common area and restaurants are about complete. I do expect the hotel to make a positive cash flow for the first time in many years.”
Byrne said they’re still looking to develop about 1,000 resort based units “to be built over time, with a focus on fine lodging and single-family homes.”
He mentioned that they will be looking to develop time-sharing projects for the first time in Girdwood.
He said such development is not only good for the resort but for Girdwood businesses. He anticipates the projects will create 100 permanent jobs, but doesn’t expect to begin any major construction until the economy improves.
He said an update of the ski area master building plan is going to be shown at a March 7 open house.
“The plan includes replacement of chairs 4 and 6 with high speed detachable quads,” he said. “I think the replacement of 4 is the next chair we should do. A base location is still being looked into.”
Byrne stressed that the new chair lifts are very high tech and require a great deal more power than is currently being used by the current chairlifts. He said generating the additional power needed may require working with Chugach Electric or developing the resort’s own power source.
Byrne said he’s still interested in building a new tram to the top of the mountain.
“There’s great skiing up there,” he said with a smile. “The more we work on the plan, the more I think a new tram should be done before a new chair 6. I feel 6 could serve us for another six or seven years.”
Byrne said he was also enthusiastic about developing more mountain biking and hiking trails on the mountain. He said the resort is planning on working on the base of the mountain this summer to develop mountain tracts from Zug’s slide to the far side of the daylodge.
“Expect us to hold the first mountain bike event this summer,” he said.
He also wants to hold the Oktoberfest again and have an event every two or three weeks.
“Our goal is to become a year-round resort,” he said, a common theme since Byrne took over. “Those of you who know me,” he said, “know I’m something of a dreamer. Our mission at Alyeska Resort and Girdwood 2020 is to fund economic growth, while enhancing the quality of life in the community.”
Byrne went on to thank the Girdwood Board of Supervisors for paving Arlberg Road, the only access road to the hotel and resort.
He continued that it was important to cultivate relationships with the city’s planning department and the next mayor and the Anchorage Assembly.
Finally, he said that there’s a plan to develop a Nordic multi-use trail.
“We’re trying to enhance the Girdwood experience with visitors and residents alike,” he said. “I’ve spent the majority of my life dreaming of owning a resort and doing this planning and work is really living the dream for me.”