FARMINGTON – Franklin Savings Bank and Western Mountain Financial Services have teamed up with Dick Bjorn and Kyes Insurance to jump start a capital improvements campaign for the Titcomb Mountain Ski Area. The companies have pledged to match donations up to $60,000 toward the $120,000 project package.
The capital projects represent improvements over the next six years to replace expensive equipment that have reached the end of their useful lives, including imminent replacement of the number two T-bar lift cable, two snowmobiles used for rescue, maintenance and grooming, and both the Alpine and Nordic trail groomers. Other projects include gravel for the parking lots, replacement of the 12-year-old carpet in the base lodge, drainage improvement for both Nordic and Alpine trails and a new air cooler for the snow-making air compressor.
“These are expensive items that are outside of the normal budget,” said Shelley Deane, a member of the Titcomb Ski Club Educational Foundation Board of Directors. “Our mission is to keep skiing affordable at Titcomb and not have to turn people away.”
The Farmington Ski Club owns and operates the community ski area that serves thousands of people each season. It provides affordable skiing and snowboarding for all ages, sponsorship and coaches for the Mt. Blue Middle School Ski Team, racecourses and grooming for the Middle School, Mt. Blue High School and University of Maine at Farmington ski teams and scholarships for youth skiers and snowboarders. Titcomb also serves as host to Winter Fun Days for local school children and Special Olympians. In many cases this is the first exposure these children get to skiing and snowboarding.
It takes hundreds of volunteers to run Titcomb for a season. Volunteers are depended upon to make snow, maintain trails, teach skiing, run the commissary and staff a volunteer ski patrol; their efforts are invaluable,” said Deane.
“We are so lucky to have a community ski area that provides healthy outdoor winter activities for everyone,” said Dick Forster, who is also a member of the board. “Because we are able to keep our ticket prices down, it’s possible for families to join in the fun without breaking the bank.”
“What a great place for kids,” said Peter Judkins, president and CEO at Franklin Savings Bank. “I’m thrilled we’re able to get together to help this tremendous community asset. I’ve loved this place since I learned to ski here at five years old. The kids skiing at Titcomb just can’t get enough of it.”
The matching grants from Franklin Savings Bank and Western Mountain Financial Services and Dick Bjorn and Kyes Insurance came on the heels of a corporate appeal issued by the Foundation Board.
“This $60,000 pledge will make an incredible difference in helping us meet our goals,” said Dick Forster. “But we will still need to match the funds with an additional $60,000 in donations; every dollar donated is effectively $2 with this generous match. I urge everyone who appreciates the value to the community Titcomb provides to please contribute what you can to help us match the funds.”
Donation checks should be made out to:
Titcomb Ski Club Educational Foundation
PO Box 43
Farmington ME 04938
The Titcomb Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and all donations are tax deductible.
