Anthony Lakes raises $500,000 for youth center and shop rebuild

Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort reported it raised roughly $500,000 in an end-of-year fundraising push to support a capital project that will rebuild the resort’s rental and repair shop and construct a new youth center. The Anthony Lakes Outdoor Recreation Association (ALORA) published the fundraising update on Jan. 12, 2026, and said the group is targeting $1.5 million in total funding with a goal of having the new facilities ready by winter 2026-27.

The project combines infrastructure repair with expanded programming space. A project sketch released with the update shows a rebuilt shop designed to improve equipment maintenance and rental capacity, alongside a dedicated youth center aimed at broadening year-round programming for local kids and teens. ALORA framed the work as both a facilities upgrade and an investment in community recreation and youth services.

For Baker County residents, the immediate impact will be visible in both operations and programming. A modernized rental and repair shop can shorten wait times on busy powder days, reduce out-of-service equipment, and support more reliable in-resort operations. The youth center is intended to expand offerings such as lessons, after-school programming, and seasonal camps—programs that local families have identified as limited in high-country communities.

Beyond those direct benefits, the project has broader economic implications. Capital improvements at small mountain resorts typically support seasonal employment during construction and can lift visitor capacity and spending once completed. Increasing the resort’s ability to serve families and youth programs may lengthen stays and shift some visitation toward midweek or shoulder-season use, which can help local lodging, restaurants, and fuel suppliers. ALORA’s $1.5 million target reflects a scale of investment that, if matched by grants or local partnerships, could signal longer-term commitment to the resort’s role in Baker County’s recreation economy.

Policy and funding questions remain as the campaign continues. Local stakeholders will watch how ALORA balances private donations, grant opportunities, and any county or state support. Timely completion by winter 2026-27 depends on steady fundraising and construction scheduling in a narrow mountain-building season.

The update included visuals and a project timeline but did not list final contractors or a confirmed construction start date. Community members interested in the project should follow ALORA’s updates as fundraising progresses and as the group finalizes procurement plans.

The takeaway? A half-million-dollar boost gets this project a lot closer to reality, but community support will determine whether the youth center and shop arrive in time for next winter. If you care about local recreation and youth programming, keep an eye on ALORA’s next updates and consider pitching in—volunteer time or donations will move the shovel into the ground sooner.