Tensions Mount Over Year-Round Ski, Tubing Hill In Round Lake

ROUND LAKE, IL — A group of residents in Round Lake, who oppose a year-round ski hill, are continuing to speak out regarding plans to annex land and use fill dirt to construct the hill.

The "Stop the Ski Dump" grass-roots group claims the hill is actually just going to be used as a dump and are questioning past projects spearheaded by the fill-site operator. The group has been spreading its message through its website, https://www.120mudhill.org; a Facebook page, which has almost 650 members; and from members speaking up at village of Round Lake public meetings.

During an informal committee of the whole meeting last month, those opposed to the plan said they were worried about increased traffic in the area, noise, pollution, wear and tear on the roadways and what type of oversight would be in place regarding the material dumped at the site and used for the ski hill, according to the Daily Herald.

Meanwhile, a developer is proposing village officials in Round Lake annex more than 100 acres of land and consider approving his pitch to bring downhill skiing, tubing and snowboarding to an area south and west of Fairfield Road and Route 120, according to village officials. The year-round ski facility would include a man-made hill about 200 feet tall at its peak, with ski runs covered in a synthetic material, Snowflex, plus four magic carpets lifts, according to village documents.

The Snowflex would be misted with water to allow skiing year-round, and the site would also include a parking lot, stormwater retention and a visitor’s lodge, which would have retail space, a restaurant and locker rooms.

Village officials say clean dirt and clay taken from construction projects across the region would be used to construct the hill. Mayor Russel Kraly said the hills is "not a landfill," according to the Daily Herald.

"Never has been, never will be," Kraly said. The village has had three public meetings where "Stop the Ski Dump" group members have shared their thoughts. Another meeting is planned for Sept. 19, where Kraly said he's hopeful village officials "can answer everything and calm things down."

"People are only going to hear what they want to hear," he said.

On June 28, the advisory planning and zoning commission approved the annexation, preliminary planned unit development, zoning and plat of subdivision in a 3-2 vote, according to the Daily Herald. The proposal still need to receive official approval from the village board.

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