CASPER, WY — At a Tuesday city council meeting, Casper leaders moved forward with a long‑awaited replacement for the aging quad chairlift at Hogadon Basin Ski Area. Councilors approved pre‑spending authority, allowing municipal staff to begin construction and award a manufacturing contract once the nonprofit Friends of Hogadon transfers pledged donor funds.
Funding secured, timeline set
Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities Director Zulima Lopez explained that the city issued a request for proposals in August, received two qualified bids in September, and completed candidate interviews earlier this month. The Friends of Hogadon nonprofit will deliver its collected donations to the city by the end of October. After that, the city will finalize loan agreements with the Wyoming Business Council (WBC) and execute contracts for manufacturing and installation.
The base contract for the new quad lift, removal of the existing chair, and installation totals $3,323,250, which includes a 5 % contingency and $721,449 for optional accessories such as a loading gate, conveyor, tower‑mounted lighting on the Dreadnaught run, enhanced safety features, and bicycle carriers for summer mountain use.
Budget and loan details
To date, Casper has secured $3,374,500 in funding. This includes $1.41 million in private commitments generated by the Lift Casper campaign and a $794,500 zero‑interest loan from the WBC, approved by the State Loan and Investment Board on Oct. 1. The total project budget is estimated at just under $4.1 million.
City Manager Janine Jordan emphasized that the loan will not burden general taxpayers. Repayment will come from the 10 % Hogadon facility fee, which was established by council in 2025 and is paid by park visitors who benefit from the upgraded lift and associated improvements.
Community involvement and naming opportunities
During the session, Councilor Michael Bond asked about donor recognition. Lopez confirmed that several donors have already pledged to high‑level sponsorship tiers that include naming rights. Potential named fixtures include the new chairlift itself, the bottom bullwheel, a start shack, and the fire‑pit area.
“For the new project, we will use the lift towers — as well as I think seven or nine additional poles — to light the entirety of Dreadnought and the terrain park,” Lopez said, highlighting the plan to enhance nighttime skiing and safety.
Next steps
With council approval, city staff will begin on‑site construction, foundation preparation, and summer‑2027 installation of the chairlift. The goal is to have the lift operational for the opening day of the 2027‑28 winter season. Fundraising will continue to cover optional accessories, and any charitable proceeds raised beyond the $4.1 million baseline will be directed toward snowmaking expansion and summer trail development.
The project reflects Casper’s commitment to maintaining a vibrant outdoor recreation economy that supports families, encourages tourism, and upholds the community’s love of the mountains.
Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.
