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Around the Summit: A-Basin eyes expansion; Ward joins school board

Initial expansion decision for A-Basin

The White River National Forest released a report on Arapahoe Basin Ski Area’s summer expansion request on Wednesday, Aug. 3.

The report addresses proposed activities and alternate actions in detail, describing potential environmental effects of implementing these new summer and winter additions. Some of the specific elements A-Basin has requested include 338 acres of new skiable terrain in the Beavers section of the ski area and a new chairlift to access it, a new surface lift with access to Montezuma Bowl and construction of a canopy tour and challenge course.



“A-Basin’s 2012 Master Development Plan identified a future need to enhance visitor experience and improve infrastructure and access,” Scott Fizwilliams, White River National Forest supervisor, said in a news release. “It’s time to move that vision along with a project that enhances both summer and winter opportunities and has the potential to connect more people to national forest lands in a confined and developed area.”

Ski resorts on the White River provide recreation to more than seven million guests annually, yet comprise a small portion of the forest’s overall land base. Those visits mostly happen during the busy winter season, and summer attractions are one way resorts are starting to introduce more year-round opportunities.



The release of these documents now initiates a 45-day objections period.

“Summit County is a destination for outdoor recreation all-year round,” Bill Jackson, Dillon district ranger, said in the release. “The project will allow A-Basin to provide additional guest opportunities while at the same time maintaining the unique A-Basin experience that the public is attracted to.”

Ward appointed to Summit school board

The Summit School District appointed Bonnie Ward to its Board of Education on Tuesday evening, Aug. 2, during a special board meeting. The former math teacher and superintendent of schools for Kent County Schools in Chestertown, Maryland, fills a vacancy on the board created by J Kent McHose’s resignation in June.

“We are extremely fortunate to have somebody like Bonnie step into this position and be able to hit the ground running,” board president Margaret Carlson said through a news release. “She already understand the work of our district, and has been one of our strongest advocates, giving countless hours of time volunteering for school programs and fundraising.”

Ward’s career in education spans four decades from her time on the East Coast. Since relocating to Summit County, she has maintained her involvement, serving as a vice chair for the Education Foundation of the Summit. She has also been a leading voice for expanding STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) learning opportunities both in Summit and other local organizations, and is also a mentor in the Pre-Collegiate Program. In her free time she enjoys outdoor recreation and spending time with her family and grandchild.

“Our teachers, families and community members have developed ambitious goals for student achievement in our five-year strategic plan, Vision 2020,” Summit superintendent Kerry Buhler said in the release. “Bonnie is a proven leader who can help us move our vision forward with her expertise and passion for STEM.”

New coworking space to open in Breck

Breckenridge is known for its world-class skiing and snowboarding, mountain biking and now it’ll be known as a hub for entrepreneurship and tech. That’s the vision shared by Amy Kemp, James Lee and David Knell. They’re the team behind the creation and expansion of Elevate Breck, the second Elevate coworking location that’s set to open this spring in Main Street Station.

Kemp opened the original Elevate coworking space in Frisco at 711 Granite Street with Wendy Basey and Julia Landon in October 2014 as the first coworking space in the area. Now, Kemp has partnered with Lee and Knell, entrepreneurs who both own several businesses, including Fathom VR (virtual reality), to open the second location, Elevate Breck, at 505 South Main Street in Main Street Station.

Last fall, Kemp teamed up with Lee to open a smaller, satellite Elevate coworking office within Hub Breck, Lee’s technology boutique shop in Breckenridge. The satellite office opened in January for Elevate members only and attracted so much interest that the team needed to expand. Kemp and Lee recruited Breck-based programmer and entrepreneur Knell to join the partnership and they landed on a 1,700 square foot space on Main Street next door to Hub Breck in Main Street Station just steps from the slopes for the new, expanded coworking space.

The space includes a phone booth/team meeting room, a conference room and eight dedicated desks, along with a community area and ski lockers, of course.

“It’s more than just a workspace,” says Lee. “We’re building a community and a home for entrepreneurs, creative and innovators.”

A limited number of dedicated desks are available at the Elevate Breck location. Day passes and other membership packages are available, including team and corporate memberships and student and nonprofit discounts.

For more information, visit http://www.elevatecospace.com or email hello@elevatecospace.com.

—Compiled by Kevin

Fixler and Elise Reuter


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