Donation supports winter park’s snowmaking
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BOTTINEAU - A $5,000 donation from Pioneer, coordinated locally through Mark Torno and Ross Garrison of North Border Seed, will support Bottineau Winter Park's new snowmaking pump station project.
Bottineau Winter Park announced it plans to use the contribution as local matching funds through the State of North Dakota's Destination Development Grant. Pioneer's $5,000 donation helps unlock an additional $5,000 in state grant funding, doubling the donation's effective impact and providing $10,000 in total project support.The new pump house and pump station are part of Bottineau Winter Park's effort to strengthen its snowmaking system and provide more dependable snow conditions when natural snowfall is limited. Reliable snowmaking helps the park make better use of North Dakota's winter season and continue serving families, young people, school groups and visitors from Bottineau and surrounding communities. The pump station is part of a $1.45 million project scheduled for completion in October 2026 and expected to be ready for the 2026-27 ski season.
"Reliable snowmaking makes a real difference in our ability to provide a consistent winter experience for the community," said Dan Fett, board president of Bottineau Winter Park, in a news release. "Pioneer's donation gives us an opportunity to seek a separate matching gift, potentially doubling the effective impact of Pioneer's support for the park and the people who use it."
Bottineau Winter Park is a nonprofit, family-friendly winter recreation area located in the Turtle Mountains about 10 minutes north of Bottineau. The park offers skiing, snowboarding, tubing, rentals and an adaptive program that helps people of all abilities participate in outdoor recreation.
"Agriculture depends on strong rural communities, and those communities are strengthened by places that bring people together," said Ross Garrison of North Border Seed in the release. "Bottineau Winter Park is an important local resource, and we are glad to help coordinate Pioneer's support for the new snowmaking pump station. Strong communities grow here."