Sunrise Set To Open In 2009

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Last Updated on Thursday, 19 March 2009 16:08 Written by Brendt Petersen Thursday, 19 March 2009 05:20

News - Race News / Reports

But will just opening the doors be enough?

After slamming the door in the Arizona downhill mountain bike crowds face just 3 days before the scheduled opening in 2008, it appears Sunrise Park Resort will open for the summer in 2009. Posted on the Sunrise Park Resort website, it states "Sunrise will be open for the Summer 2009". But is this news a mixed blessing?

While Sunrise is likely to draw its usual crowds of gravity junkies, lift riders and hikers this summer, there is one overwhelming question being asked with an answer yet to be seen. What condition are the trails in? After nearly 18 months of no use or maintenance, 2 winters and a typically rainy summer, the trails which were in mediocre shape in 2007 must at this point be in a state of disrepair. Trees will need to be cleared, the manmade structures will need to be rebuilt (imagine the ladders on Shoots and Ladders with no maintenance) and extensive dirt work will be necessary for the trails to be in a suitable condition to ride.

If previous years maintenance trends continue for 2009, the prospects for everything even being back to where it was in 2007 is a bleak outlook. With maintenance crews only granted access for a few hours a weekend in previous years, it would take an incredible number of people to get the necessary work done in a timely fashion. With a large concentrated effort of volunteers and the co-operation of the Sunrise management, crews could be up there weeks before the scheduled opening in order to get a jump on things.

This is where you can help. If you are interested in restoring Sunrise for the Arizona gravity community and are willing to volunteer, email the resort and make your voice heard.

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Foote said:

	sunrise Im not going to get excited until I know they are going to open for sure. Last year was kind of a slap in the face. Im sure all would agree that all was not lost, turned out to be a great summer anyways.
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