Traverse City, MI – Entrepreneur Eneliko Sean “Liko” Smith , creator of THE BLOCK, the world’s first snowboarder hotels, has purchased the Sugar Loaf Resort in Michigan. The resort, located in Traverse City, has been shuttered for over a decade.
Smith and partners have purchased the property for an undisclosed price. The purchase includes all assets of Sugar Loaf to include property, buildings, ski lifts, and all existing inventory. Combined with adjoining land, the resort totals over 560 acres. The property boasts a private aircraft landing strip and is adjacent to golf courses, townhomes and residences that make up the community.
Smith plans to transform the resort into a “snowboarder’s mecca” titled The RoK at Sugar Loaf. He has partnered with experienced snow resort operators interested in long term development projects in the United States. The partners plan to open the resort by November 27, 2014.
“For those that think that snowboarding is on the decline, The RoK at Sugar Loaf will set a new standard in park layout, design and features. the entire mountain will be focused on the needs of the modern snowboarders. From hotel, to restaurant, to bar, to nightlife, to music, art and even aviation…no stone will be left unturned at the RoK,” investors promise.
“This is the single biggest challenge of my life. I’m fortunate I was able to find partners that not only understand the risks involved at Sugar Loaf but also the complexity of reopening a resort that has been shuttered for over 10 years,” says Smith. “The key is getting down to bedrock on what’s required and then taking massive action…I will not let this resort waste away on my watch. The residents and children in the region deserve a resort that will compete with others worldwide and The Rok is going to do just that.”
Smith, who plead no contest regarding unpaid room taxes in the City of South Lake Tahoe, Calif., in 2009, promises that tax payments will never be an issue again. “I suffered very deeply and I truly learned from that mistake,” he says.
Smith plans to create a new reality television series beginning with an employee boot camp in July of 2014. Interested snowboarders can apply at websites www.theworldsmostextremeceo.