November 17, 2008 Historic ski jump to be restored in Vermont Play video

(Anya Huneke, NECN: Brattleboro, VT) - On a gray, rainy November day, It may be hard to imagine: a thick blanket of snow, thousands of cheering spectators, and dozens of the world's top athletes. But that was the scene at Harris Hill in Brattleboro, Vermont, for years, and will be once again, if all goes according to plan.

Pat "This will be our 85th year on Harris Hill."

The Harris hill ski jump was founded by Fred Harris back in 1922. A year later, it was the site of the national ski jumping championships-- the first of many large tournaments held here-- each one, an impressive athletic and social 'to-do.'

Pat Howell\Co-Director, Fred Harris Memorial Tournament "The fields were filled with people-- horse-drawn carriages, fur coats, top hats..."

Dana Sprague\Former Ski Jumper "I grew up on this street- I used to walk down as a kid and watch them practice when I was 4-5 years old."

This is where former ski jumper Dana Sprague got his inspiration... it wasn't long before watching turned to trying...

Dana "There was a big group of Brattleboro jumpers then- maybe 40 of us." "It was just what people in Brattleboro did in the winter."

Dana "It's a rush, for sure...As soon as you go over the knoll- there's a huge rush of air in your face... it pushes your skis up into your face... ."

In the years since he jumped competitively .. Sprague says the sport has changed quite a bit... And so has activity on Harris

Dana "Before snowmaking was popular, they couldn't put it on... some kids switched sports... I think that was the beginning of the end."

The end finally came two years ago-- when two major hurdles forced Harris hill to shut down.

Pat "The first was- the hill was in disrepair. And secondly- the U.S. Ski Association- which sanctions this event- determined we needed to implement safety features we hadn't had."

As the town of Brattleboro found .. Getting Harris Hill back up to snuff would be no easy feat.

The cost of renovation - one of Brattleboro's most complicated construction projects - was estimated at more than half a million dollars.

Some money was raised through donations from the community and the New York-based 'Manton foundation'... But nowhere near enough.

The harris hill board and organizing committee decided to move forward anyway... With a personally-guaranteed loan.

Pat "That decision was made recognizing that we couldn't let the community down- not another year without a competition." "We signed on the dotted line and then held our breath."

A couple of weeks ago .. That leap of faith paid off. The rest of the funds were secured to complete the 90-plus meter hill- through another gift from the foundation.

Dana "I think with the new facility .. this is going to be one of the top 5 jumps in the country. People from all over the world- Slovenia, Germany- will come here and love it."

"One priority in this project was to make sure the hill was approved by the International Federation of Skiing. F.I.S. certification allows jumpers who compete here to earn points towards their national rankings- which helps attract many more top-level athletes."

Dan "This gives us the opportunity to host any level of competition held in the world- other than the Olympics."

Former jumper Dan Warner used to travel here from Maine for competitions...

Dan Warner "Down here is where the old take-off used to be- so the hill's changed quite dramatically."

Now he travels around the world as a tournament judge. He's also helping to oversee this project, a big accomplishment, he says, for a small community of jumpers...

Dan "I think countrywide we might have 200, 250 skiers from kids to the world class level."

...And for a proactive community of Vermonters-- bound and determined to return this hill to its former glory.

Pat "This community is very proud of its ski jumping history," and of its future. Pat Howell is co-directing the 2009 Harris Hill ski jumping competition- scheduled for February. She expects the large crowds and international athletes of years past... Bringing this historic hill back to life.