Tourism, Culture and Recreation
October 14, 2009

Three New Appointees to Marble Mountain Board

There are three new faces on the Marble Mountain Development Corporation (MMDC) board of directors, while four individuals have been reappointed to a second term.

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, said Robert (Bob) Pike of St. John�s, Stephen May of Corner Brook, and Dale Park of Steady Brook, are the newest members of the board. They will join board chair Jamie Schwartz, who was appointed in January 2008, along with board members Janice Ryan, Mike Dolter, Jerry George, and Laura Walbourne, who have been reappointed through to May 2011. The 11-member board also includes representation from the departments of Tourism, Culture and Recreation; Finance; and, Innovation, Trade and Rural Development.

"The west coast continues to be a tourist destination of choice, thanks in large part to the Marble Mountain Ski Resort," said Minister Jackman. "The three new appointees will bring a new perspective to the board, while the knowledge and experience of the reappointed members will ensure business continuity and ongoing excellent management of the facility."

The board of the Marble Mountain Development Corporation has a mandate to market and promote the facility as a four-season anchor attraction which will serve as a catalyst for development on the west coast and in the province as a whole. Marble Mountain employs more than 100 people during its peak season of operation from December to April each year, and generates revenue in excess of $2.7 million annually � along with millions more in tourism-related spending and economic activity.

"I welcome the new appointees to the board and look forward to working with them," said Mr. Schwartz. "Our focus over the next couple of years will be to continue to upgrade infrastructure at the resort, with a view to enhancing the ski and snowboard experience, and to develop and implement a new marketing campaign which includes capitalizing on social networking opportunities � such as Facebook and Twitter. The ultimate goal is to continue to provide a top-quality experience for all of our clients, and to increase visitation from both residents and non-residents alike."

Skier visits to Marble Mountain have more than doubled from 44,000 in 1995-96 to 90,700 in 2008-09. Hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, restaurants and businesses in general benefit from the visitor activity at the resort.

In 2008, the Provincial Government announced a $1.2 million investment over three years to upgrade and expand Marble Mountain infrastructure, including the provision of new ski lift equipment; new and improved slope development; expanded terrain development for both skiers and snowboarders; maintenance to the lodge itself, and some basic service system upgrades. For more information on Marble Mountain, visit: www.skimarble.com.

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Media contacts:

Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca

Anne Pinsent
General Manager
Marble Mountain Ski Resort
709-637-7620
anne@skimarble.com

 

BACKGROUNDER

Biographies of New Board Members
Marble Mountain Development Corporation

Robert (Bob) Pike
Bob Pike, member-at-large, has had 33 years experience in the electrical utility business in areas of communications, human resources, safety, environment and customer service.  He is currently the manager of corporate relations with Newfoundland Power. A long-time community volunteer, Mr. Pike has served on numerous boards and agencies in the areas of occupational health and safety, employee relations, community health, and the environment, among others. Bob, his wife Cathy and sons Jason and Ryan are all avid skiers at Marble Mountain.

Stephen May
Stephen May, member-at-large, is a professional engineer working with Corner Brook Pulp & Paper Ltd. Mr. May is an accomplished skier, having raced for Newfoundland and Labrador at the 1987 Canada Winter Games in Cape Breton. He has been a ski coach, a ski instructor and continues to be an avid skier, spending virtually every winter weekend at Marble Mountain with his wife and two daughters.

Dale Park
Dale Park, representing the Town of Steady Brook, is a certified general accountant and director of corporate services with the City of Corner Brook. Within the past 10 years, he has worked with the former Humber Valley Resort Corporation, the Inuvialuit Development Corporation in Inuvik, Northwest Territories and with Marine Atlantic in Port aux Basques. Mr. Park and his wife Jennifer have two children, Lucas and Jennifer.

2009 10 14                                                      10:30 a.m.
 


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