Hidden Valley May Be Bought By Seven Springs
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- Six years ago, the Buncher Group bought Hidden Valley for $12.4 million and spent millions more upgrading this facility.
Now Buncher may be ready to sell, and the possible buyer? The owners of nearby Seven Springs.
A deal may be in the works to sell Hidden Valley resort to the Nutting family, the owners of Seven Springs.
Bob Nutting may be better known for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but the avid skiing family may be about to make a move on the slopes.
"We are hearing that Seven Springs ski resort is going to purchase Hidden Valley," Julie Donovan, vice president at the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau, told KDKA money editor Jon Delano on Wednesday.
"That's what we've heard but we've not received any official confirmation," she added.
Both resorts are not talking publicly, but Donovan works closely with them, and she's ecstatic about the possibility of a Seven Springs takeover.
"The amount of visitors that they have attracted to the Laurel Highlands -- over 1.2 million -- the jobs they have created -- they have a phenomenal track record. I think it would be wonderful."
Local Jefferson Township supervisors echo that sentiment, and hope local jobs will grow at Hidden Valley.
"I'm sure there will be some changes, but I don't think it really changes employment a whole lot. Maybe increase it," said Bruce Barron, township supervisor.
Hidden Valley is an important boost to the local economy -- part of $1.7 billion dollars generated annually in the Laurels.
"I think it helps tremendously. Some outside people come in -- the tourists, the skiers, the golfers," noted Dennis Troup, another supervisor.
And a deal possible and a cold snowy winter on its way.
"Now that is music to our ears," said Donovan.
Again, no word on when this deal, if there is one, will be announced.
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