Snow is still months away, but it's never too soon to think about preparing for the skiing season _ particularly when there is free ski equipment available.
Beginning at noon on Sunday, skis, boots and poles are being given away at the former Scotch Valley Ski Resort, courtesy of the new owners, Oorah Boy Zone and Girl Zone camps.
The equipment will be handed out with a limit of two sets of equipment per person until it is gone, according to Clifford Meth, Oorah spokesman.
Oorah recently finalized the purchase of the resort on state Route 10 between Stamford and Jefferson. The resort and Deer Run condominium complex will be home to a new summer camp for Jewish children in 2010.
Eli Mintz, Oorah chief executive officer, said previously that he was open to the idea of the property being operated as ski resort during the winter if someone with experience can run it as a money-making operation.
"If we're able to open up again to skiers, we will have new, state-of-the-art equipment for them," Meth said. "We came into an abundance of older equipment and realized we could sell it on eBay or elsewhere, but thought that it would make a nice gift to our new neighbors."
Meth said the ski equipment was part of the purchase agreement.
"And we're only too happy to give away this equipment to area residents as a way of saying, Hello, we're glad to be here with you,'" he added.
Oorah, which means "Awaken," was founded in 1980 with the goal of awakening Jewish children and their families to their heritage, according to its website.
The organization is based in Lakewood, N.J., and owns and operates the Oorah Boy Zone and Girl Zone camp on South Gilboa Road in Gilboa.
Oorah opened its first summer camp in Gilboa in 2007. The organization wanted a second location so the girls camp could be run at one site and the boys camp at the other site. The camps operate during July and August.
Oorah provides one month of camping for girls and one month for boys, but with two camps, the campers can stay for two months.
Meth said no decision has been made about which facility will house which group.
Mintz said the Deer Run condominiums and the 50,000-square-foot building on the Scotch Valley property are in need of extensive repairs and renovations.
There are 30 single rooms at Scotch Valley and 48 apartments at Deer Run that will house between 300 and 500 campers, Meth said.
The purchase price for the Scotch Valley facility was in the $1.2 million range, and an additional $3 to 4 million will be spent to renovate the property, Meth said.
"We plan to start renovating soon and plan to use local contractors and vendors," Meth said. "Whatever we build will certainly be harmonious with the community's needs and our neighbor's needs."
While the new grounds at Scotch Valley will be preserved for their natural beauty, the newest facilities for children's camping needs will also be added.
Meth said there are no solid estimates of how much money will be spent in the area when the camps are operating, but added that "it will certainly be advantageous to the community's economy."
___
Patricia Breakey can be reached at 746-2894 or at stardelhi@stny.rr.com.
