By Jesse Wood
Appalachian Ski Mtn. General Manager Brad Moretz anticipates its new visitor center at the corner of U.S. 321 and Edmisten Road to open late winter/early spring.
Construction of the new facility is currently taking place, and Moretz said that he hopes to have the building dried in “pretty soon” as the glulam beams should be set tomorrow, ready for the completion of the roof. Crews are also waiting for rock to be delivered for the detached sign.
“We’re moving along as fast as we can,” Moretz said, adding that the rains lately have hindered the construction phase.
During the planning process, Moretz increased the size of the building from 960 square feet to about 1,500 square feet to accommodate High Country Host.
At the beginning of the year, N.C. Department of Transportation said it was selling the property that High Country Host has operated in since the ’80s and that the organization would have to move.
“That’s where we are heading,” Moretz said, referring to High Country Host operating in the building.
Not counting this increase in square footage, Moretz said a while back that the project would cost $800,000 for purchase of the acre and a half property, paving of entrance and parking spaces, curbing and gutter, a detention pond to protect the nearby creek, and the building and sign, which both match the color and architectural style of the ski lodge.
When ASM’s 45-year-old leased billboard, which is located right across the street from where this welcome center is proposed, was torn down to build an access road for the new post-acute care facility, ASM decided on this project to advertise the resort.
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