Copper Peak receives $20 million

By LARRY HOLCOMBE

lholcombe@yourdailyglobe.com

LANSING - Copper Peak's future received a $20 million shot in the arm Thursday when the Michigan State House passed State Senate Bill 565.

State officials and local organizers say the funds will be used for the restoration and development of Copper Peak in Ironwood Township with the aim of creating a world-class facility that will attract a series of international ski competitions year-round and provide sports-related tourism to the region.

Senate Bill 565 contains $4.8 billion in funding for road and water infrastructure repairs, as well as local parks, affordable housing and other projects. It awaits Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's signature, but the Associated Press reports she plans to sign it.

"Northern Michigan and Upper Peninsula legislators worked together and across the aisle to include funding to transform Copper Peak into a world-class destination for ski jumping competitions and training for Olympic-level athletes from the U.S. and around the world," said state Sen. Wayne Schmidt, R-Traverse City, in a Thursday release.

Bob Jacquart, who serves as chairman of the Copper Peak Organizing Committee, told the Daily Globe Thursday the funding to create a new future for Copper Peak has been in the works for a long time and many people were involved, including members of the Michigan state House and Senate, as well as officials from the International Ski Federation, known as FIS.

Jacquart said they worked with one state senator to the 11th hour on details of Copper Peak's business plan for its future with FIS.

"We are thrilled that a portion of the funding for local and state parks and trails will help the U.P. become a global destination for competitive ski jumping," Jacquart said.

Jacquart said this money triggers several exciting things for Copper Peak's future.

"Recently, the International Ski Federation selected Copper Peak to become the exclusive, year-round competition and training venue for Olympic-level skiers. Funding in the bill will help cover the cost of extensive renovations that the Copper Peak ski jump must undergo to meet competition requirements," he said.

These renovations will transform Copper Peak into a facility able to host events with and without snow. It will also be designated a ski jump and not a ski flying hill.

Jacquart said FIS has said it will host a series of men's and women's ski jumping events, as well as Nordic combined competitions. Nordic combined events have individuals compete in ski jumping as well as cross country skiing. He said the events would use local cross country ski trails. In the summer, these cross country races would be on roller skis and may be done on the Iron Belle Trail as an option, he said.

The ski jump is expected to generate $50 million for the region in visitor revenue over its first four years of competitive events, according to paperwork submitted to the Legislature by the Copper Country Organizing Committee.

Jacquart said the transformation of Copper Peak will take a couple years, as they will continue to work with engineers this summer and begin construction in the summer of 2023. Construction will wrap up in the summer 2024 with the hopes of a ski jumping competition with the back drop of fall colors in fall 2024.

Jacquart said there are only a few facilities in the nation that offer winter and summer ski jumping, including those in Lake Placid, New York, and Park City, Utah.

State Rep. Sara Cambensy, D-Marquette, called the Copper Peak funding a critical investment for the area and Michigan as a whole, in the joint release with Schmidt and state Sen. McBroom, R-Waucedah Township.

"This monumental funding to rebuild the historic Copper Peak ski flying jump is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity for the entire state of Michigan. The economic growth that will come from this unprecedented investment is unlike anything U.P. legislators have been able to capture since building the Mackinac Bridge," said Cambensy, D-Marquette.

Cambensy praised Jacquart's efforts.

"Bob Jacquart had a dream to bring international ski flying back to the United States and his hometown of Ironwood, and his consistent ask to the U.P. delegation of legislators has finally paid off," she said. "What a gift this appropriation is for every Michigander, but especially our Yoopers who share our ski jumping and flying heritage."

McBroom said it was good to see something positive for the region.

"The western U.P. has been dealt many blows economically for years, the most recent of which was the untimely and unnecessary closure of Ojibway Prison," said McBroom. "The state has made many promises of economic investment and today, thanks to the great U.P. legislative team and partners across the U.P. and downstate, we are seeing a tremendous investment in a transformational project for our area."

Jacquart thanked the efforts of the state legislature, including Schmidt, Cambensy and McBroom, as well as state Rep. Greg Markinen, R-Hancock and state Rep. Beau LaFave, R-Iron Mountain.