The new scaffold at the Pine Mountain ski jump is shown, illuminated at night.
IRON MOUNTAIN Gundlach Champion of Iron Mountain will be hired by Dickinson County to design an elevator for the Pine Mountain ski jump, a project that’s needed to meet standards for international competitions.
The county board voted 3-2 to accept a cost not to exceed $19,500 for preliminary design-build services.
Without an elevator, the Kiwanis Ski Club will be unable to host World Cup ski jumping as envisioned for 2023, Commissioner Joe Stevens said.
Gundlach Champion also proposes the elevator as a tourist attraction.
Chairman Henry Wender and Commissioner Ann Martin voted no, as no ski club representatives were present. Wender wants assurances the ski club can see the project through.
By Jef Rietsma Journal Correspondent
Like many municipal governments, St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has approved a state of emergency to continue broadcasting its meetings electronically.
During their first in-person meeting since fall 2020, commissioners on Tuesday agreed they will stick to assembling in-person for their twice-per-month board meetings.
The commission, however, agreed it would be prudent to maintain public broadcast of meetings via Zoom.
Without approval of the local emergency declaration, the board and other panels under the umbrella of the county commission would not have the option of conducting virtual meetings.
“Some don’t feel comfortable meeting in person yet … some of the commissioners have heard from them, asking us to extend (the declaration) so that they can continue to meet virtually as opposed to back in person,” board chairman Dennis Allen said. “This gives them freedom of choice, (though) we plan on remaining in person right