COLCHESTER, Vt. - A new ski center at Saint Michael's College aims to make the College's Alpine and Nordic skiing teams more competitive and meet the teams' unique needs.
The Kelley Ski Center will celebrate its grand opening on Friday, Sept. 20, during the first day of the annual Alumni and Family Weekend. The ribbon-cutting ceremony and dedication will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the new center, located across the street from the main campus at 19 Lime Kiln Road in Colchester.
The Kelley Ski Center will be housed in a renovated part of Senior Hall, one of the older structures on campus that had remained mostly underutilized in recent years. Thanks to the generosity and support of alumnus and former skiing captain Tom Kelley '69 and his wife Denise, in addition to other alumni, parents, and the local community, the building has gained new life and will have a lasting and positive impact on some of Saint Michael's best and most promising athletes.
"We are so excited that the skiing teams at Saint Michael's will soon have a space that matches the growth they've shown over the last few years – and that allows them to keep growing," said Matt Akins, Saint Michael's Director of Athletics. "The possibilities are endless now, thanks to Tom Kelley and all of the other alumni, parents, and local partners who supported this vision and ultimately helped it become a reality."
The College broke ground on the project last fall – also during Alumni and Family Weekend. The Kelley Ski Center will have more space for waxing and tuning skis than the ski teams' previous location on campus. The teams will also be able to gather together and watch competition videos as well as cook meals together in the center's kitchen since skiers often leave campus for practice before the dining hall opens.
The College's ski teams continue raising the bar in competition, especially over the last few years. During the 2023 season alone, student-athletes on the ski teams set school records for podium finishes and All-America performances. In 2024, the Nordic team saw some of its best finishes in decades, and Alpine skier Simen Strand '24 broke the school record for NCAA All-America accolades, becoming the College's first athlete to earn this honor five times. In all, the two teams combined to send four competitors to the NCAA Championship.
Both current and alumni ski team members are expected to be on hand for the celebration, including Kelley. President Richard Plumb, Kelley, the coaches of the Alpine and Nordic skiing teams, and the student captains will offer remarks during the ceremony. The building will also be open for attendees to walk through and see the renovated space.
If you go:
What: Grand opening ceremony for Kelley Ski Center at Saint Michael's College
Where: 19 Lime Kiln Road, Colchester
When: Friday, Sept. 20 at 5:30 p.m.
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