skidude Posted June 15, 2005 Report Posted June 15, 2005 Camelback sold to local investor By SUSAN KOOMAR News and Business Editor skoomar@poconorecord.com A local entrepreneur who learned to ski at Camelback as a child bought the Pocono icon Tuesday. Arthur B. Berry III of Pocono Manor formed a new company, CBH20, to run the ski area and Camelbeach water park. Berry closed the deal with Camelback Ski Corp., but terms were not made public. Neither Berry nor longtime Camelback chief executive Sam Newman were available for comment beyond statements issued in a press release. Newman, a Stroudsburg attorney, has run the growing recreation area for 19 years. It attracts more than 700,000 visitors a year. He will stay on as a consultant to Berry's new company. Tuesday's announcement ended rampant rumors about a pending sale including speculation that Intrawest, a major developer of mountain resorts, was a potential buyer. Berry's successful ventures have ranged from a stock car racing school at Pocono Raceway to a tire business in Mount Pocono. He started the rod and gun club at Pocono Manor and a local Lee Myles transmission franchise. Berry pledged to maintain Camelback's status as a major attraction and employer. "I plan to keep all of our staff employed and will continue to create employment and career opportunities for them and other area residents," Berry said in a press release. Camelback has more than 800 full- and part-time employees making it one of the largest private employers in the Poconos. Before Camelback opened 43 years ago, the Poconos closed for the winter, said Bob Uguccioni of the Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau. "Camelback is a huge success, and I credit Sam Newman and his crew," said Uguccioni. He's glad to see the attraction stay under local control and called the Berry family "very reputable and highly regarded in the community." "Having people like that buy such a major facility is a very good thing," said Uguccioni. "We are pleased. It is a local company, we know the people, and it will be in good hands." State Rep. Mario Scavello, R-176, added, "The fact that there will continue to be local ownership is a very positive thing." Scavello credited Newman with creating jobs and fulfilling a vision to expand the ski area with Camelbeach water park. "What it's done for the community is unbelievable," he said. Newman, in a press release, expressed confidence in Camelback's new ownership. "While the decision to step down is difficult, the operations of Camelback will be in great hands under Arthur Berry's leadership," he said. And let me just take care of all the whoring...."Hopefully they will have a good park now that there is a new owner" Quote
Glenn Posted June 15, 2005 Report Posted June 15, 2005 And let me just take care of all the whoring...."Hopefully they will have a good park now that there is a new owner" 27564[/snapback] We can hope for lots of things. Time will tell. Quote
Papasteeze Posted June 15, 2005 Report Posted June 15, 2005 Dammit dude..... I'm going to say anyway - I hope they improve the park! I hope they recognize PASR. I hope they open more trails. I hope continue to support the race program. How does the North Ridge property factor into this? Quote
skidude Posted June 15, 2005 Author Report Posted June 15, 2005 I was wondering about NR. I believe it is or was owned by CB, but not sure what happened to it. I'll try to find out. Quote
VTmark Posted June 15, 2005 Report Posted June 15, 2005 A local entrepreneur who learned to ski at Camelback as a child bought the Pocono icon Tuesday. Arthur B. Berry III of Pocono Manor formed a new company, CBH20, to run the ski area and Camelbeach water park. think maybe he'll try to get a longer sesson? Quote
AtomicSkier Posted June 15, 2005 Report Posted June 15, 2005 think maybe he'll try to get a longer sesson? 27569[/snapback] by realigning the earth so that Tannersville, PA now becomes the new Antartica? Quote
VTmark Posted June 15, 2005 Report Posted June 15, 2005 no by blowing more snow get a bigger base and ride it longer 'cuse it takes longer to melt away. Quote
skidude Posted June 15, 2005 Author Report Posted June 15, 2005 As far as northridge... Northridge wasn't part of the deal. We hope to get more details within thenext few days. Thanks for your interest! <<By SUSAN KOOMARNews and Business Editor skoomar@poconorecord.com Quote
LineSki Posted June 15, 2005 Report Posted June 15, 2005 Scavello credited Newman with creating jobs and fulfilling a vision to expand the ski area with Camelbeach water park. ugh... but I have to say it, god I hope this does something for the park. Quote
zaldon Posted June 15, 2005 Report Posted June 15, 2005 well i hope i can still ride with my spot light Quote
skidude Posted June 15, 2005 Author Report Posted June 15, 2005 well i hope i can still ride with my spot light 27577[/snapback] How else would I find you guys? Quote
Ski Posted June 15, 2005 Report Posted June 15, 2005 Unless it's a last ditch attempt to keep a dying area open, it's generally a bad thing when a small investor buys a ski area. They generally don't come in and dump $5 million in upgrades and new terrain. Usually, it's more about ego and bottom line. I mean, it would have been great for him to snatch up Montage, but I can't see any great additions coming. Interesting to see what happens... And this: "Before Camelback opened 43 years ago, the Poconos closed for the winter, said Bob Uguccioni of the Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau." Hey, Bob, Camelback didn't invent hunting, fishing, boating, hiking, camping, honeymoon vacation resorts, rafting, dirt biking, and the numerous other outdoor activities. What a stupid thing to say. Wonder if the park will be better? Quote
skidude Posted June 15, 2005 Author Report Posted June 15, 2005 As long as I can keep racing there, I don't really care what he does Quote
Ski Posted June 15, 2005 Report Posted June 15, 2005 As long as I can keep racing there, I don't really care what he does 27582[/snapback] They wouldn't cut a program like USSA since CB currently makes so little financial and facility commitment. They just might make you pay another $50/season. Now, if Newman and the Board had given you guys Rocket on weekends, you'd probably be screwed. Quote
sibhusky Posted June 16, 2005 Report Posted June 16, 2005 They wouldn't cut a program like USSA since CB currently makes so little financial and facility commitment. They just might make you pay another $50/season. Now, if Newman and the Board had given you guys Rocket on weekends, you'd probably be screwed. 27585[/snapback] Well, if they charged another grand a season, maybe they'd get some great coaches and be able to develop the program more. Quote
skidude Posted June 16, 2005 Author Report Posted June 16, 2005 Dave K has left CB I think this spring. He is working out in the midwest now I believe. It doesn't sound like they want to fire too many people though Quote
Papasteeze Posted June 16, 2005 Report Posted June 16, 2005 (edited) I saw an interesting comment that this local guy will probably buy it and flip to one of the big guys regardless of his roots. Ski999 makes a good point about previous owners dumping all the money for improvements and then selling it. Is the time to campaign for suggested improvements now? Hmmmmm. EDITED 6-16-05 12:26am Late night orniness .. I just flamed the CB MB --- Should I delete it or should I guage the reaction? This is what I wrote: Camelback Sold What will this mean for the future of Camelback? Will the Terrain Park finally get some attention to bring it up to the caliber of other mountains in our area? What about the race program - will it remain the same? The talk is the new owner, while local, will simply flip it to one of the big guys in a season or two, that the recent improvements are taxing the profitibility. That there will likely be NO improvements next season or ideas implemented. Does the new owner have any new ideas or plans that they would like to share with the general public of this board who check in regularly because CB is thier home mountain? Since this is a public board - I sure the mods will report glowingly if they do at all, its just that my family just bought a home at North Ridge with the expectation of spending all of our discretionary time and money this coming winter at Camelback. We expectED to participate and support CB to the nth degree. As an avid skiing enthusiast leading a brood of talented and vocal skiers. I respectfully request a response. To not respond in some fashion will also be a response. Thanks, Rob Larick Edited June 16, 2005 by Papasteeze Quote
Ski Posted June 16, 2005 Report Posted June 16, 2005 Not a flame...very legit. My first reaction was that he would flip it, too. But not to an Intrawest type company, or even Snowtime. CB is pretty maxed when it comes to growth of the ski area and the Poconos are way too weather reliant. I could see a big resort chain being interested. Proximity to about 20 million people is a big deal. W Hotels coming in and expanding the rooms by 300% and charging their standard $250-$400/night, which will include a family pass to Camelbeach. Probably a lot of talk about improvements, but very little actually done over the next couple of seasons. Flame away... Quote
skimom Posted June 16, 2005 Report Posted June 16, 2005 "Before Camelback opened 43 years ago, the Poconos closed for the winter, said Bob Uguccioni of the Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau."Hey, Bob, Camelback didn't invent hunting, fishing, boating, hiking, camping, honeymoon vacation resorts, rafting, dirt biking, and the numerous other outdoor activities. 27581[/snapback] Hey, watch it, Bob's one of my buddies. Did anyone mention he has a rental at Northridge and a longstanding relationship with Sam/CB? I agree that a buyout by a local with no ski resort experience is probably not a plus. Hey, '999, how often do you see takeovers where the new management doesn't immediately reassure all employees that no lay offs are in order? Just curious, do you think this type of statement has any basis in reality? ...Probably just my slated, inner city view of business... Papa, any idea what CB plans to do with N'Ridge? I thought it would be the first thing they dumped. Quote
Papasteeze Posted June 16, 2005 Report Posted June 16, 2005 The N'Ridge lease agreement is a really different business model. What I don't know is if that land is leased from the state or county. My concern would be a future forced sale of the ground to the individual homeowners. I haven't read the fine print yet. Quote
sibhusky Posted June 16, 2005 Report Posted June 16, 2005 I thought CB owned the Northridge land, leased the ski area land. I can't imagine that Northridge is rented. Quote
LineSki Posted June 16, 2005 Report Posted June 16, 2005 Intrawest , whenever I think of Intrawest the first thing that comes to mind is mountain creek. Quote
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