Bought for 4.5 million: How will they ensure the ski future – Rome Blad

Monday got Varingskollen new owners. Hakadal sports team has completed the purchase of the ski center. The previous owners were Oslo Snowparks AS.

Varingskollen has struggled with economy and low visitor numbers, but this sports club plans to change that.

Opens previously

the new owners have great faith in Varingskollen future and has plans for how they will ensure the operation.

– We will focus on good experiences for all user groups. Both families, freeriders and randoneekjørere will find it nice to ski here, says incoming Chairman Varingskollen AS, Truls Klokkerud.

Some of the changes that come already this winter is past season opening, more efficient snowmaking and better marketing. Among other things, they will use social media and arranging multiple events.

– Our focus now is to get a safe operation. We have a business plan in which the number of visitors going up and where we should get costs under control, says Klokkerud.

Began preparation

Already Monday work began filling mass and to clear the area, to make it clear to the winter.

Per Ole Thorsen, manager of Hakadal IL, telling them to rectify the terrain so that the need for snowfall decreases. Thus, snow production become more efficient.

Thorsen says that although there is a sports club which will now operate Varingskollen will resort still be a place for most people.

– The goal is to give a sports facilities stretcher to our own members and local residents. It is ordinary people who are responsible for most of the revenue. The plant will be operated commercially, he says.

– Sitting in soul

Truls Klokkerud says that the plant needs modernization. In the long term it may partly be necessary to assemble the buildings in one place, get more routes, new lift and a better Skipark.

becomes chairman: Truls Klokkerud’s deputy in Hakadal IL Alpine and is now chairman of Varingskollen AS.

Klokkerud’s deputy in Hakadal IL Alpin and even used ski resort in Varingskollen for 40 years.

– There has been a tremendous commitment preserving Varingskollen. This is a place that fits tightly soul to hakadølingene and nittedølingene. it was inconceivable to us that there would be no light down here for the winter, said Klokkerud.

was sold

Earlier this year it was announced that Varingskollen could not continue to operate as before, due to an operating loss of around minus two million. the Alpine skiing which has been operating for over 50 years, thus appeared to be threatened .

the owners Oslo Snowparks AS laid the resort up for sale. Since April, they worked to find a solution for the ski resort. In May it was announced that Hakadal IL should buy Varingskollen Oslo Snowparks AS.

– We have driven Varingskollen for 25 years and has put a lot of dedication, time and money. It’s a bit sad to sell, says managing director of Oslo Snowpark AS Espen Bengtson.

He is happy that the plant was sold to a local sports team.

– I’m happy that it is operating here for the winter. Personally I’m looking forward to buy ticket and take my family with me here, says Bengtson.

Cost 4,500,000

Hakadal IL paid SEK 4.5 million for Varingskollen. Sparebankstiftelsen contributed a gift of 2.5 million. This is the largest single donation to sports as the foundation has given ever. The rest of the purchase is financed through loans, where Nittedal municipality is guarantor.

Moreover, they are lottery. These can be used, for development of the plant in the future.

Local seasonal workers

Varingskollen currently has three permanent employees. Two of these are further after Hakadal IL has taken over.

The club say they will pursue local workers when hiring seasonal workers.

Alpine resort has visitors from all Romerike and Oslo.

Introduction

• Varingskollen has been operating for 53 years.
• for the last 25 years Oslo Snowparks AS been owners.
• Earlier this year it was announced that they would sell the plant.
• Varingskollen then had an operating loss of two million crowns.
• Hakadal IL purchased plant. The price was 4.5 million.
• The acquisition was financed by a gift from Sparebankstiftelsen and loans.