Aroostook County lawmakers have asked Portland’s Libra Foundation and Pineland Farms of New Gloucester to reconsider their decision to close Presque Isle’s Nordic Heritage Outdoor Center.
Libra announced the center would close on Dec. 1 and Pineland Farms would seek other uses for the 750-acre property, which includes a biathlon range, trail system, lodge and other buildings. The center’s closure affects local school cross-country ski teams as well as those who use the trails for hiking, biking and recreational activities.
The news sparked an outcry from residents. The public Facebook group Friends of the Nordic Heritage Center has gathered 400 members, but its last report stated the property owner isn’t budging on plans to gate the facility on Dec. 1. The legislative plea is the latest in local efforts to keep the center open.
“We are asking that Pineland Farms, Libra Foundation and Presque Isle city officials meet and discuss every option for the future of the Center and the possibility of delaying the closure,” the letter signed by 10 area lawmakers and dated Nov. 22 stated. “We feel this would be in the best interest of all those involved and provide an opportunity to maintain operations at least throughout the coming winter months.”
The letter was signed by Sen. Trey Stewart III, Maine Senate Republican leader; Senator Elect Sue Bernard, District 1; Representative-Elect Lucien Daigle, District 1; Rep. Roger C. Albert, District 2; Rep. Mark Babin, District 3; Rep. Timothy Guerrette, District 4; Rep. Joseph Underwood, District 5; Rep. Donald Ardell, District 6; Rep. Gregory Swallow, District 7; and Rep. Tracy Quint, District 8.
Community leaders and residents were stunned to learn the ski area would close, the letter stated.
So far, neither Libra nor Pineland have responded to the letter, according to Michael Fern, communications director for the Senate Republican Office, who shared the letter with the Bangor Daily News.
The Libra Foundation built and funded the outdoor recreation facility, which opened in 2000, and has continued to pay for its operation. The Presque Isle Recreation and Parks Department took over its management in 2021.
Declining use and rising costs contributed to the decision to close, Libra reported on the Nordic Heritage Outdoor Center’s website on Nov. 12.
Though pleased with the center’s history, Libra decided to terminate its agreement with the city, Executive Vice President Erik Hayward said at the time.
Hayward was not immediately available for further comment on the foundation’s plans for the property.
Libra will reportedly close access to the site next week and put it up for sale, said Chris Condon, a member of Friends of the Nordic Heritage Center and a longtime user of the facility.
While the future is unclear, Condon hopes for some solution and is grateful for the Libra Foundation’s 25-year investment, he said.
“There’s really been an incredible amount of enthusiasm around remembering what that facility has been to us,” Condon said. “There are conversations going on to think about what we can do to create an outdoor recreation facility to fill the void.”
