News stories tagged with "orda"

(12/16/11) For those in the skiing business, this year's relatively warm temperatures and lack of snow are spelling trouble. Ski areas typically open around Thanksgiving and when there's no snow on the ground, they make it.

But it's been too warm for snowmaking. Ideally, it should be about 10 degrees. So many areas in the northeast have been forced to delay opening. Others have been operating at reduced capacity. And that's hurting the bottom line. more

(06/29/11) The state Olympic Regional Development Authority is having one of its best years ever. ORDA operates and maintains a variety of Olympic venues across the Lake Placid region, including ski centers at Whiteface and Gore Mountains. State officials say heavy snowfall and a strong Canadian dollar translated into financial success.

As Chris Morris reports, ORDA is looking to build off that success by getting creative with its marketing. more

(06/06/11) The state Olympic Regional Development Authority may add a third downhill ski center to its venues before the winter season.

ORDA officials are reportedly in talks to take over operation of Belleayre Mountain Ski Center in the Catskills.

Chris Knight reports. more

(03/16/11) The former chairman of the New York State's Republican Party is taking the helm of the state Olympic Regional Development Authority. Pat Barrett sat in as chair of ORDA's board of directors during their meeting on Tuesday. According to the Albany Times Union, Governor Andrew Cuomo plans to name Barrett to fill the post permanently. Chris Morris has details. more

(11/30/10) As this winter's ski season gets underway, many unionized workers at the Olympic Regional Development Authority in the Adirondacks still don't have a contract. Union leaders say wages are so low, many of the full-time workers still qualify for public assistance. They led a a small rally at Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington on opening day of the season Friday.

(09/29/10) Work continues on a multimillion dollar conference center in Lake Placid. Local officials say will provide a huge boost to the area's economy when it needs it the most - during the spring and the fall. Construction of the new, 56,000-square foot facility, which was on hold for nearly two months this year due to the state's budget crisis, is now scheduled to be completed in March. Chris Knight toured the construction site with officials from the state Olympic Regional Development Authority and filed this report. more

(07/12/10) Senator Kirsten Gillibrand made a swing through the North Country last week, making stops in Watertown and Lake Placid.

The freshman senator heard dozens of requests for federal funding for local projects in the region.

But with the national debt soaring, Gillibrand argued that the best way to spend local dollars may be by boosting loans and incubator efforts for small businesses.

Brian Mann has our story. more

(06/24/10) The state Olympic Regional Development Authority has secured its annual appropriation from the state, but its budget difficulties may be just beginning. In budget bills approved this week, the state Legislature set aside $5.6 million for ORDA, which operates Whiteface Mountain and Gore Mountain ski centers and the 1980 Winter Olympic venues in Lake Placid. That's about $1 million less than the authority received last year, and about $3 million less than what was allocated for ORDA two years ago. At a board meeting in Lake Placid this week, some ORDA officials said that if they're forced to absorb additional cuts, the authority's venues and the communities that ORDA supports could be impacted. Chris Knight reports. more

(04/28/10) Governor David Paterson recommends one-day-a-week furloughs for state workers until the state budget, now nearly one month late, is completed. The governor is also cutting spending and raising revenues by $620 million, and asking the legislature to act immediately on his budget. Karen DeWitt reports. more

(04/05/10) As ski center managers in the Adirondacks close the books on another winter season, some are reporting an increase in skier visits and revenue. Others say they've had about the same or fewer numbers of visitors compared to last year. Chris Knight looks back on the winter of 2009-2010, including one of the biggest success stories of the winter - the reopening of two smaller, community-centered ski areas. more