KUUF’s December forum will take a look at the remaking of Copper Peak, a world class ski-jumping facility in Ironwood, built in 1970. The speaker is Bob Jacquart, president of Copper Peak, Inc. He signed a contract with Engineering & Construction Innovations in September to begin phase one of the Copper Peak revitalization project.

At Copper Peak, skiers ascend to the top of the ski jump, strap on their skis and speed down a ramp at 70 miles per hour until they launch into the air, trying to stay airborne as long as possible. Jacquart says it’s the largest ski-jumping hill in the world. At other times of the year, visitors can take a ski-lift up to the base of the jump, ride an elevator up 18 stories, and the very brave can take the stairs another eight stories to the very top of the ski jump. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it’s an experience people who have done it will tell you is well worth it.

But Copper Peak doesn’t meet the standards of the International Ski Federation now, so it needed renovation. The ski-flying facility received $20 million from the State of Michigan through the American Rescue Plan Act to cover phase one of construction to bring Copper Peak up to standards. The facility still needs to raise $18 million more to cover phase two, which will focus on upgrading the jump itself.

Jacquart and officials from Ironwood like Community Development Director Tom Bergman hope the renovations will mean big things for the region.

“It’s an incredible opportunity for our community, says Bergman. “It’s something that really puts us on the world stage. It puts Michigan on the world stage, and it puts the Western U.P. and Ironwood on the world stage. It’s just such a unique asset for a community like ours. There’s nothing else like it in North America.”

Bob Jacquart may be better known as the chairman of Jacquart Fabrics, a family-run business that purchased the rights to the famous Stormy Kromer hat in 2001. The Jacquart family is the third family to own this iconic brand since 1903, but once it moved to the UP, it began to thrive more than ever.

Forum will be by Zoom only.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83975762265?pwd=TC9BcStaTDF4dFZOU2ZsUHhZTERoUT09

Meeting ID: 839 7576 2265
Passcode: KUUF