SCRANTON - Montage Mountain Ski Resort might be a delight for skiers but it's a management nightmare for Lackawanna County, which is why it is being put up for sale, the commissioners said Friday.
'The previous administration racked up millions and millions in loses to taxpayers,' said Board of Commissioners Chairman Robert C. Cordaro, a majority commissioner along with A.J. Munchak. 'We're talking millions, not just chump change. We think it's appropriate ... to explore the sale.'
The commissioners hope to get a minimum of $9.6 million for the 400-acre resort, which they hope will be sold by July or August so the new owner would be ready for the winter season, Munchak said.
The Ford Pavilion concert venue will not be included in the sale, Cordaro said. He also said he expects to receive proposals from throughout the country.
Minority Commissioner Randy Castellani, who could not be reached for comment Friday night, is against selling Montage, Munchak said.
Cordaro said there will be numerous conditions set before the resort is sold. He said he will outline those conditions at a news conference at 8 a.m. Monday at Montage's main building.
Overall the previous majority commissioners, Castellani and Joseph Corcoran, ran up almost $17 million in debt, a chunk of which included Montage, Cordaro said.
News of the sale was not a surprise to Sean O'Shea, an avid skier and owner of Country Ski & Sports in Wilkes-Barre Township. He said he had heard rumors about Lackawanna County wanting to unload Montage.
He said no matter who ends up with the resort, it could be good for skiers if some improvements are made, such as better lighting on the slopes. O'Shea also hopes the buyer will be a nonpolitical entity.
'It would be good if they could get some skiers involved in the management,' O'Shea said.
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