Mountain Creek unveils future plans

VERNON — “What is Mountain Creek doing?” is the question Mountain Creek President Bill Benneyan answered during a twenty minute high level presentation, June 28, to an audience of about 145 people in the Red Tail Lodge.
Mayor Harry Shortway and almost all of the Vernon council attended.
Benneyan said the Koffman family interest, which bought the resort last year in June, envisions investing about $50 million of capital into the resort over the next five years, creating hundreds of new jobs; adding 780 Equivalent Dwelling Units — equivalent to a single family house with a water meter — in sewer charges, incurring more than $750,000 in transmission fees and $2.8 million in Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority connection fees.
Benneyan added their mission statement is: “Everyone leaves with a good story,” including: a new friend, new skill, new aspiration, or new knowledge, from the slopes, history of the area, or entertainment. Later, he said, their vision is to live and breathe the outdoors everyday.
During the presentation, Benneyan said, their objectives are to preserve and leverage the natural assets of Hamburg Mountain and Vernon Valley. They are focused on four-season recreation, amenities, and businesses that balance dependency on weather.
He also explained they spent the first half of last year improving the infrastructure, networks, systems, personnel structure, point of sales, accounting, and equipment around the resort.
Three members of the Koffman family group, brothers Jeff Koffman, David Koffman, and Steven Koffman, were present.
Benneyan outlined the set of criteria for all new projects: outdoor nature, play, recreation, family oriented, inviting to kids as young as 2-3 years old, sustaining to later generations, and educational. He mentioned Jeff has been working with the Vernon superintendent to develop educational programs.
Continuing, Benneyan said the last filter for Mountain Creek is, “Does the plan create water and sewer usage?” He said a lot of their development and investment aims at answering the basic financial needs of the township and Mountain Creek.

Possible proposed projects

A Scandinavian Spa already has general development plan approvals. The proposed location would replace the previously considered indoor water park and hotel, which is on the shelf due to the $140 million cost.
Benneyan said between the hot saunas, cold plunge pools, and steam rooms, the sewer allocation use would be equivalent to a 200-room hotel.
A vineyard, winery, 350-seat restaurant, performance space, outdoor festivals, farmers' market, and independent living center is to be located on the Sammis Farm property. The 12 acres also have approvals.
The mountain top center on Vernon Peak, including a nature center and beginner skier center, with sky rentals, pod teaching, gondola easy on and off at the top of the mountain, and more weddings at the “wedding view.” Benneyan said they will host their first full scale wedding at the end of August, highlighting the amazing three state, High Point Monument, and Delaware Water Gap view from the peak.
Water park and bike path expansions, including additions geared to children aged three-to twelve: a self-challenge tower, for children as young as three, ropes course next spring, and a “Beginner Bike Park.”
Mountain Creek broke ground, on the day of the presentation, for the “Beginner Bike Park” trails and hope to have a beginner and intermediate trail completed in two weeks. Riders will use the “Magic Carpet” to the top of a trail and ride down according to expertise.
Rentals and a $10 day pass will be available.
Finally, Benneyan said in not too many months, the proposed high level projects will be formally presented to the town council, with applications. He concluded, all they wanted to share on Tuesday was their overall vision of the resort, and how it might differ from some ideas in the past.