Biz Buzz: Kelly Canyon opens summer season under new ownership
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Do you want to know what’s happening in the eastern Idaho business scene? We’ve got you covered. Here is a rundown of this week’s business news across the valley.
BIZ BRIEF
RIRIE
Trail improvement projects underway at Kelly Canyon
RIRIE – The summer season at Kelly Canyon officially opened Friday.
Mike VanSteenkiste recently became a new managing partner for the resort. He tells EastIdahoNews.com the turnout on opening day was great, and many improvements are in the works throughout the summer.
“We want to make it better. We want to enhance the experience for everyone,” VanSteenkiste says. “We’re taking a special interest in grooming the mountain.”
The resort opened a mountain bike park late in the season last year. It includes 19 miles of trails. One of the big focuses right now is improving the existing trails and building new ones for riders of all skill levels.
“We’re cutting in the single-track trails,” VanSteenkiste says. “We’ve been working hard on the berms, making it really fun so the trails flow nice. We hope that people will enjoy being able to ride new trails as they open throughout the summer.”
VanSteenkiste says there are certain spots on the mountain with a lot of runoff, making some of the trail areas really wet.
“Those areas have to dry out before we can get the trails put in,” says VanSteenkiste.
They’re also adding an airbag, which will catch riders while they’re doing tricks and flips and protect them from crashing. A pump track and jump park are also being built. VanSteenkiste is hoping these features will be ready for the grand re-opening on July 3.
VanSteenkiste says one of the things management is most excited about is new lodging for guests.
“There hasn’t been lodging (on the mountain) for more than 60 years, but that’s something that’s on our radar and that we are working towards,” he says.
The date of completion has not been determined.
Other plans for the summer include food truck Fridays with half-price on bike rentals. There will also be a free summer concert series. Other amenities are in the works for the winter and beyond, which VanSteenkiste will talk more about at a later date.
Many people in eastern Idaho grew up learning how to ski at Kelly Canyon, VanSteenkiste says, and the idea behind the improvement projects is to make it more appealing for locals in particular.
“The cost of taking your family skiing is almost out of reach for the average family,” VanSteenkiste says. “We can’t compete with Targhee or Jackson, but we can provide an affordable experience for the family. We want to maintain the family atmosphere … and be known as a family resort.”
Kelly Canyon has been a popular skiing and winter recreation area since its inception. A written history of the resort indicates a local investor group led by Bud Johnson first opened Kelly Canyon in 1957. The group purchased the property, cleared the timber for ski runs, and built the lifts and equipment. Several different investor groups have owned the resort over the years. It is currently owned by Kelly Canyon Winter Park LLC.
VanSteenkiste says the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t had a huge impact on the resort because the winter season closed as the shutdown began. He’s excited for people to come and ride the trails.
“I hope that we can increase the excitement specifically to the locals,” VanSteenkiste says. “We’re a family resort, locally owned, and that’s really what we want to be.”
The grand reopening celebration will begin at 5 p.m. Friday, July 3. There will be food on-hand from local vendors and live music. Accomplished riders will be doing tricks and stunts for those in attendance.
The bike park will be open free the following day from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
Visit the website or Facebook page for more information.
BIZ BITS
Community celebrates completion of green way trail near Portneuf Medical Center
POCATELLO – Portneuf Health Trust and the Greenway Foundation are excited to announce the completion of the greenway trail near Portneuf Medical Center. This new 10-foot-wide asphalt paved trail extends a half mile from Terry Street across from Franklin Middle School to the south side of Portneuf Medical Center. It is a major step forward in the Portneuf Greenway’s effort to connect Idaho State University with the Portneuf Wellness Complex. The trail cost about $350k and was funded by the Portneuf Health Trust. A ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the trail’s completion took place Wednesday.
Museum of Idaho reopening Saturday with changes in place
IDAHO FALLS – Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, staff and volunteers at the Museum of Idaho in Idaho Falls have been hard at work adapting the museum to a digital-first environment and instituting several changes to exhibits, programs, and health and safety protocols. The museum is reopening on Saturday, June 13, and the staff is excited for you to return. The museum will now open at 11 a.m. daily. EastIdahoNews.com is reaching out to the museum about the changes and will post a more in-depth story soon.
New credit union opening in Rexburg, and you’re invited to celebrate
REXBURG – East Idaho Credit Union and the Rexburg Chamber of Commerce is inviting you to a ribbon-cutting for the new credit union building at 310 N. 2nd East. The old building was torn down last spring. The ribbon-cutting for the new building is happening Tuesday, June 16 at noon.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…
Real estate and development in Idaho Falls stay strong through pandemic
Local business hosting car show next month, and you’re invited to attend
Annual beerfest event canceled due to COVID-19
Local eatery ranked one of the best ‘black-owned restaurants’ in the country
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