Reopening the Big Tupper ski area and revitalizing it as a centerpiece of the community is a big part of the reason so many local residents are passionate about the Adirondack Club and Resort. At yesterday's meeting, APA senior attorney John Banta cautioned that if the resort does go forward, the ski hill still isn't a sure thing.

"Renovation and operation of the ski area will only occur if the project sponsor believes that residential sales within the proposed project justify the investment in the ski area and related improvements," Banta said, citing a report compiled by APA staff. "The project sponsor does not propose any significant improvements to the ski area until at least three years after the project is approved."

Tupper Lake town supervisor Roger Amell acknowledged yesterday that there are no guarantees that the project will save Big Tupper, but he said that without a resort Big Tupper has no future. He also said the town plans more negotiations with lead developer Michael Foxman over the ski mountain's operations. "He's a developer. Just like any other developer, there's risk there. Hopefully we'll take on and resolve these bigger issues and risks for the town," Amell said.

Big Tupper has been operated the last two winters by a volunteer group called ARISE that supports the resort project. Developers Michael Foxman and Tom Lawson declined to comment for this story.