Saint Michael’s College celebrates grand opening of Kelley Ski Center with ribbon cutting

One year after a celebratory groundbreaking on the new Kelley Ski Center, Saint Michael’s Nordic and Alpine Teams skiing teams gathered with family, alumni, and other supporters to celebrate the center’s official grand opening.  

Both the groundbreaking and grand opening were celebrated during the College’s annual Alumni and Family Weekend. Last year’s event marked the start of construction following a successful fundraising campaign. This year, at least 75 people gathered around the building on Friday, Sept. 20 to officially open the center, including College President Richard Plumb and skiing team members both past and present.

Tom Kelley ’69, the namesake of the new Kelley Ski Center, raises the giant pair of scissors after cutting the ribbon during the grand opening of the center on Sept. 20, 2024. President Richard Plumb, left, and members of the Alpine and Nordic skiing teams applaud. (Photo by Jerry Swope)

The Kelley Ski Center is the new home for the Alpine and Nordic skiing teams. Both teams used to operate out of the room in the College’s Athletics building, the Tarrant Center, but because the teams have grown, the room has become inadequate for the needs of all the athletes.  

“A third of you couldn’t get in there now,” said Tom Kelley ’69 when talking about the previous ski room.

Check out more photos of the Kelley Ski Center grand opening by Jerry Swope: 

Kelley, a former Saint Michael’s skiing team member himself, is the namesake of the Kelley Ski Center as he provided the initial financial support that helped make the center a reality. Kelley has been a longtime supporter of the skiing program and was a lead advocate for giving the teams more space.  

 “We appreciate Tom Kelley, not only for his donation but for how he got other people excited about the idea and to donate too,” said Molly Peters, the head Nordic skiing coach. “He really was the impetus of the whole thing.” 

Maggie Frøland ’25 and Declan Hutchinson ’25, captains of the Alpine and Nordic Skiing Teams respectively, speak at the grand opening of the Kelley Ski Center on Sept. 20, 2024. (Photo by Jerry Swope)

The center has eight new waxing benches, each with two spots to wax. This is a large improvement from the three cramped benches the teams had in their former space. There are also now enough lockers for each of the athletes to have their own, which is important to keep their equipment clean and in good shape.  

All of this is essential to the success of racing, explained Nordic skiing captain Declan Hutchinson ’25 during the grand opening ceremony. There is also a kitchen so the athletes can be properly fueled and can keep the food separate from the wax.  

“We all know the taste of wax in our bagels,” joked Alpine skiing captain Maggie Frøland ’25.  

Tom Kelley ’69, right, takes in the interior of the new Kelley Ski Center as his son takes a photo following the grand opening and ribbon cutting on Sept. 20, 2024. (Photo by Jerry Swope)

The Kelley Ski Center is also essential for team bonding. Both the Alpine and Nordic teams will have a space where they can gather together as a community. While the technical term is “The Kelley Ski Center,” many of the skiers have shortened it to just “the ski house.”  

“We have been calling it a house because it’s our home,” Hutchinson said.  

Kelley is just excited the teams have their own dedicated space. After the ceremony, during a tour of the new center, he beamed as he took in the new digs.  

“This is your center,” Kelley said before cutting the ribbon. “It doesn’t matter what name is on it, this is your center.” 

More information about the Kelley Ski Center can be found at smcvt.edu/skicenter.