Chester Bowl ski-jump dismantling?

Lucie Amundsen Oct 31, 2011 12 Comments

Taking my early morning walk, I saw bulldozers taking down at least part of the ski jumps at Chester Bowl Park. My first thought was, “Oh no!” — I love that Duluth sorta thumbs its nose at risk-management concerns.

Does anyone have the skinny???

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12 Comments

Claire

about 13 years ago 

Oh  no, Lucie, say it isn't so! I love those old wooden ski jumps!

Paul Lundgren

about 13 years ago 

I smell a Halloween trick.

Lucie1970

about 13 years ago 

No, really...no Halloween prank, Paul.

Paul Lundgren

about 13 years ago 

Are we talking about Big Chester, Little Chester, or both ski jumps?

There was discussion four years ago about dismantling them, but instead a plan emerged to repair the jumps and encourage kids to take up the lost art of ski jumping.

So, could what you saw today have been either repair work or maybe the dismantling of part of the structure that allows people to climb up on to it?

moosetracks

about 13 years ago 

I walked through Chester Park on Friday afternoon and it looked like they were completely dismantling both of them.  It definitely did not look like repair work.  We guessed that it might have been to make room for some new ski trails.  I was quite saddened by the sight of them being dismantled.

Buck Skinner

about 13 years ago 

Sad but true. Hiked on Saturday night and indeed, dangerous pile of junked scrap, hopefully leaving the bigger one intact, but probably too much liability, lawyer's wet dream.  Dad rode down one on his bike when he was ten years old, landed it, then hit log, flew through air, dragged wrecked bike home five miles.  Gramps came home, took one look at bike, threw in trash.

brian

about 13 years ago 

The word from Thom Storm is that the city is having the judges stands removed because of severe disrepair and vandalism, and sections of the bottom of the jumps are being removed so people can't climb up on the jumps. This fall there was a lot of vandalism done to the structures.
They are not being removed completely, just made less accessible to hooligans. Some of the steps, lights, wiring (currently disconnected) may also be removed at some point.

Dave P

about 13 years ago 

Yep, I just returned from taking the air in Chester on Monday afternoon and the bottoms of all three jumps have been removed. Contractor said there is no plan to remove the rest at this time, but the bottoms had to go, "'cause the kids were up there drinking!" I love those Eiffel-like structures, but I appreciate the city's dilemma; although it seems to me that this solution simply renders a dangerous attractive nuisance really really dangerous (and just in time for Devil's Night shenanigans). RIP.

jake

about 13 years ago 

Aw man!  I wanna go drink on the jumps!  Missed my chance.

Barbara

about 13 years ago 

When we were kids we used to climb up on top in the summer and have picnics, swaying in the breeze.  It was heaven!

Claire

about 13 years ago 

I just walked over there.... sad... glad they are not being completely dismantled though.

George

about 13 years ago 

I always thought they should make them more accessible.  As in a place where tourists could hike up for a spectacular view.  Charge a fee to cover the liability insurance.

Hopefully the remainder of the jumps will be put on the historical register.

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