Group seeks Powell City Council's support for ski programNearly $782,000 has been raised to revitalize the Sleeping Giant ski area. The Yellowstone Recreations Foundation, the nonprofit group seeking to re-open the North Fork ski area by this fall, must raise $800,000 by May 1 to qualify for a $500,000 grant from the Wyoming Business Council.

“We are confident we'll meet that $800,000,” said Bryant Hall, the foundation's director, who spoke with the Powell City Council Monday.

Hall asked the council to consider supporting a fifth-grade ski program. If everything goes as planned, the foundation will provide free season ski passes for all fifth-grade students in Powell, Cody and Meeteetse.

Hall said the passes will cost the ski area about $150 per student. On average, Park County is home to around 400 fifth-graders.

The council's support would help offset those costs so the foundation can invest in additional programs, Hall said.

“Rather than me asking for a set dollar amount, I'd like to leave that up to you,” Hall said.

The council's financial support would not go toward the $800,000 goal, Hall said.

Mayor Scott Mangold told Hall that the council would consider the funding request during its budget session in mid-May.

Hall said he hopes the fifth-grade program will be a success and that the council will consider funding it annually.

Councilman John Wetzel called Sleeping Giant a worthwhile community ski area and said the city needs to take a hard look at Hall's funding request.

“I'm totally in favor of it,” he told Hall.

If the council supports the ski area, it will decide where the money goes — to the fifth-grade program or another project. Wetzel said he'd like to see the council consider funding a bus that will take Powell kids of various ages up to Sleeping Giant.

“I would rather see the money go to a bus, in order to spread that money more liberally toward Powell's youth,” he said.

Hall said the foundation has explored options for a shuttle bus and plans to provide one, possibly through leasing. He added that the bus became a critical component for donors — some wouldn't give a donation unless a bus was provided for transportation to the ski area.

Wetzel said the the line for funding recreation projects is blurred for Powell.

The Powell Recreation Department is funded through the school district and operates independent of the city, said Annette Thorington, city finance director.

If the council decides it's more appropriate as a recreation project, the Yellowstone Recreations Foundation would have to seek funding from the Powell Recreation Department.

In contrast, Cody funds its recreation department through the city budget. On Tuesday, Hall asked the Cody City Council for a $10,000 contribution toward the fifth-grade ski program. The Cody council will discuss the contribution again on April 21.

The group will host its final fundraising event, Jump Over the Giant, on April 29 at the Cody Auditorium.

In total, the Sleeping Giant renovation is billed at an estimated $3.5 million. Among other improvements, the area will feature a new chair lift, snowmaking equipment and three times the skiable terrain.