December 03, 2001
By Glenn Drohan
Berkshire Eagle Staff
NEW ASHFORD -- Time-share condominiums, formerly touted as the linchpin of a $60 million expansion at Brodie Mountain
Resort, may take a back seat to more conventional, wholly owned condominium units, Brodie and local officials confirmed
last week.
Despite some concerns about the impact such condominiums might have on town services, particularly the school budget,
the Planning Board has approved Brodie's "conceptual master plan," allowing the resort to build any combination
of time-share or conventional condominiums, besides hotel units, for the first half of the project.
Brodie plans to build 332 condominiums, in addition to ski trails, a water park, retail stores and at least one
restaurant at the resort in stages over the next 10 years.
Brodie Vice President James VanDyke said he and Brodie co-owner Brian Fairbank, who are seeking financing and a
private developer as a partner in the project, were concerned that the market for time-share condominiums might
be weak.
"The perspective we're taking on this is, if for some reason the time-share economy or regional economy goes
belly-up and people want wholly owned condominiums, we should be able to service that guest," VanDyke said.
"The concept was to preserve our options for whatever the market climate would allow, be it a condominium
hotel, time-share units, whole ownership or whatever."
He said the Jiminy Peak resort, also owned by Fairbank, had one of its best sales years this year for wholly owned
condominiums, which indicated that the market may be stronger than the market for time-shares.
Dianne Glick, Planning Board chairwoman, said the board was sympathetic to Brodie's concerns. She noted that, although
VanDyke and Fairbank had consistently talked about time-share units during the planning process, the resort bylaw
passed by the town last year did not restrict the type of condominiums that could be built.
"Basically, the board said, 'Use the type of housing that will make this a viable project, build 50 percent,
then we will take a look and see how things are going,'" Glick said. "Brodie has been working very cooperatively
with the board to make this project a good fit for New Ashford, and the board wants to create a parameter for them
to be successful. The whole intent is to make them succeed, not to make them fail."
She acknowledged that board members were concerned about the potential impact on the school budget and other town
services because, typically, time-share condominiums are occupied by tourists for a week or two at a time. Wholly
owned condominiums could draw year-round residents, who potentially could add children to the school system.
VanDyke said he believes there won't be much of an impact, however. He said research done by Brodie indicates that
wholly owned condominiums at resorts don't have much of an effect on local school systems. Statistics show that
only about two students are added per 1,000 condominiums, he said.
Glick said the board was given that information but still had some concerns.
"That's why we want to look at it after the first 50 percent is complete," she said.
She also noted that the board thus far has only approved Brodie's conceptual plan and will review each stage of
the project as specific permits are sought.
VanDyke said the project still has a long way to go before groundbreaking, predicted for the spring of 2003.
"We need to make sure we have all our environmental permits, and we need a development partner on line and
ready to go, with town approval," he said.
Brodie is also seeking, through the town, a $1.5 million state Public Works Economic Development grant to assist
in building the project's roads and infrastructure.
Brodie officials have said that the resort expansion could create up to 67 permanent jobs and add nearly $400,000
to the town's tax base.
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