DULUTH – A long-awaited project to rebuild and expand the chalet at Chester Bowl Ski Area will receive $2.3 million in funding from the state Environmental Trust Fund.
The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources recently approved the funding as part of its 2025 appropriations, which include 125 projects totaling more than $103 million across the state.
The new government funding is intended to boost construction of the $3.85 million chalet project.
Article / Chester Bowl Improvement Club
The nonprofit Chester Bowl Improvement Club, which operates the ski area in the winter, the summer day camp and other activities in the city park, has already raised $950,000 for the new chalet. It will be built on almost the same footprint as the existing chalet, but will be expanded in height.
The 2025 Legislature still has to approve the list of projects that will be funded from the trust fund, which is normally a formality. The money would be available next July and construction would begin in 2026, Chester Bowl Improvement Club officials said Thursday.
The new Thom Storm Chalet and Outdoor Recreation Center project will see a complete renovation of the chalet, addressing the issues of the deteriorating building, adding accessibility measures such as an elevator, and improving energy efficiency. Expanding from two to three stories and slightly increasing the footprint will nearly double the square footage of the building.
“We are delighted to have been recommended for funding from the LCCMR,” said Dave Schaeffer, executive director of the Chester Bowl Improvement Club, in a statement. “We have received so much support from the local community in our campaign fundraising efforts so far and this funding from the LCCMR is an important step in making our dream of an expanded and renovated chalet a reality.”
Dan Williamson / File / Duluth Media Group
“We know that the local community will support our final fundraiser so that the new chalet can continue to benefit generations to come,” said Schaeffer.
Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert called the state funding “a testament to the strong partnership between our Duluth parks and recreation staff and the Chester Bowl Improvement Club.”
“We are excited to partner with the Chester Bowl Improvement Club to complete this project,” Reinert said in a statement Thursday. “The new chalet will continue to demonstrate what is possible when passionate individuals work with the city to create a public asset.”
The Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund is a special fund in the state treasury created by a constitutional amendment in 1988 with the approval of 77% of voters. The amendment will direct 40% of the net proceeds of the Minnesota State Lottery to the fund.
John Myers covers nature, natural resources and the environment for the Duluth News Tribune. Reach him at [email protected].
