CABLE, Wis. (Northern News Now) – With a grand opening years in the making, a new world-class facility opened in northern Wisconsin.
Saturday was the first day that outdoor enthusiasts could enjoy the Home Base Lodging building in Mt. Telemark Village.
In 1947, American Birkebeiner founder Tony Wise purchased property in Cable, Wisconsin to establish what was then known as Mt. Telemark Village.
More than 70 years later, said Ben Popp, executive director of the American Birkebeiner Foundation, the building was slowly falling into disrepair. In 2018, the foundation purchased the property in hopes of revitalizing the place.
“When we started talking about buying this property, it was empty. Now, six years later, we are here and to see the project become a reality and now running is something very special,” Popp said.
The 12,000 square foot adventure center includes Backroads Coffee, Trek Bikes, New Moon Ski and Bike, 10 hotel rooms and Birkebeiner memorabilia.
The adventure center is also the gateway to numerous outdoor activities. Numerous ski and bike trails lead right past the center and would not be possible without the help of many.
According to Popp, over 2,000 different donors have helped raise over $8 million to revitalize Mt. Telemark Village.
“People are excited,” Popp said. “To have over 500 people here today celebrating this part is great and I think it really shows that Telemark was the central part of outdoor recreation.”
Although the building appears to be complete, Popp said they have only raised 80% of their final goal of $10.2 million to continue building out the world-class facility.
Additions still being worked on include a biathlon facility, an ice skating rink and other parking and facility improvements.
As they move forward, they feel the need to remember the past.
“We are looking to the future, but we are also about celebrating history,” said Popp. “Tony Wise had the Wall of Champions at the Telemark Resort, and we have restored it.”
On the wall hangs a photo of all Birkie winners since 1973.
Whether in the past or in the future: Cable always offers the perfect combination for outdoor sports.
“I think what makes this really special is that we have a community that loves to host the world. So you combine amazing natural resources with an amazing community that loves to welcome and host people, whether it’s an event or just a weekend. That’s where the magic happens.”
They hope to raise the remaining funds by the end of the year in order to complete the project by the end of 2025.
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