Killington, VT – Even though the current winter season is not yet over, Killington Resort on Thursday announced a number of summer projects that will enhance the Vermont ski and snowboard resort for the 2011-12 season, most notably the removal and replacement of the structure on Killington Peak.nThe Peak Lodge sits at the 4,100 foot level of Killington Peak and was originally constructed as the return station of the original gondola and included a dining facility. “Constructed in the late 1960’s, this facility has reached its usable life span and it is time for it to be replaced,” stated Chris Nyberg, president and general manager of Killington/Pico Ski Resort Partners, LLC. The existing building is currently serviced by the K-1 Express Gondola.

Pending permit approvals, the removal of the existing building and the new replacement facility and related infrastructure is expected to cost nearly $7 million when completed and will consist of a multilevel restaurant and meeting space facility. The structure will be somewhat smaller than the building it is replacing and reside at the same location as the old structure.

“Our primary goal is to replace the existing facility with a building designed to provide optimal views from nearly any point inside the building and the exterior design to blend itself to the preexisting location on the landscape,” Nyberg explained.

The removal project is expected to occur this summer and the new facility constructed the following summer with anticipated completion date of Christmas 2012.

The architectural firm of Robert Carl Williams Associates in Pittsfield, Vt., has been retained for design and planning.

This new facility will become the highest gondola served restaurant and meeting space venue in eastern North America. Situated near Killington Peak in the Green Mountains, the 22,000 square foot facility will provide vistas of the Adirondack Range in New York, the White Mountains of New Hampshire and the Green Mountains of Vermont.

“This facility will be an icon for not only the Killington Region in Central Vermont, but for the entire state. The views and experience that the new facility will provide to our guests will be unsurpassed,” Nyberg said.

In addition to the removal of the existing Peak Lodge structure, there are several other infrastructure projects undertaken this summer to prepare for the construction of the Killington Peak facility. Projects will include installation of waste water treatment and fiber optic lines from the summit area of Killington Peak down to the base of the K-1 Express Gondola.

The K-1 Express Gondola base area will also be getting a facelift this summer. The maze area will be covered and heated. Additionally, the gondola car storage area and adjacent guest drop-off area is being renovated.

For the 2011-12 winter season, a new tubing park will also debut adjacent to East Mountain Road across from the Killington Grand Hotel using the Killington Golf Course Clubhouse as the operations base.

A dedicated crew working on-mountain at both Killington and Pico this summer will focus on trail and glade work. “We will be pruning and trimming gladed areas as well as clearing new growth,” stated Jeff Temple, director of mountain operations. “Several years ago we began our trail development project. We’ll continue the program this year by finishing up projects at Bear Mountain and concentrating on Snowdon and Skye Peak this summer as we continue to enhance skier flow.”

Killington Resort will also replace snowmaking pipe, hydrants and valves this summer. “We are investing in our grooming fleet with the purchase of three new Prinoth grooming tractors and adding over 150 low energy snowmaking guns to the arsenal,” Temple stated. “The energy cost to produce air for the snowmaking process is the single largest expense in the production of snow. With the increased cost of all types of energy, making snow as efficiently as possible is critical to provide a quality experience to our guests in an environmentally responsible manner.”

Other areas of Killington Resort receiving improvements this summer include base lodges, existing chairlifts and the Killington Golf Course. In addition, Killington Resort and Pico Mountain will invest in a new rental equipment fleet and a new disc golf course is being built at Pico Mountain that will open July 1.