Stop that coaster? Comments
Go look at Lutsen, and see for your self. It will be a little loud while building it, but it will not distrupt anything, except the influx of more tourism dollars into our great town. And some summer time jobs for the kids. I've done the lutsen slide several times, and the concentration it takes to operate a sled, keeps you quiet.
Posted by: Eric Nelson on 10/09/2009 1:08 PM
See, it's starting already.
Posted by: Big Iron on 10/09/2009 1:19 PM
Speechless that I am. Too bad the golf course wasn't built back in the 90's. Then there would have been another group of 'animals' bothered by the large influx of screaming humans.
Posted by: Jim on 10/09/2009 1:22 PM
I'd like a breeding study of humans done in Duluth to help prevent some of the problem kids/adults we're dealing with now. That to me is of far more importance than her being upset about the alpine slide.
Side note: Ok seriously, can we turn down the difficulty on the Captcha? "typified Wojtowicz"
Posted by: Peter on 10/09/2009 1:26 PM
Sort of like when AFSCME shows up on the steps on City Hall with its bullhorns, yelling and screaming. I'm sure that wasn't music to the ears of nearby birds. Where's the outrage?
Posted by: Paul on 10/09/2009 2:08 PM
Sonya and anyone else with an opinion on this is welcome to come to Wednesday's Parks & Recreation Commission meeting. Spirit Mt. is presenting the proposal that afternoon. Meeting time is 4 - 6 pm at Parks & Rec HQ, Lake Ave. & 4th St. Public comment is near the tail-end of the meeting but everyone gets heard.
Posted by: Nick L. on 10/09/2009 2:40 PM
Oh my, here they go again. Well Sonya Welter, birds are much more adaptive for nesting than you give them credit for. I built a deck off the back of my house last fall. This spring we had a robin build a nest on the dropped beam because it was a secluded sheltered space for her babies. We have never had a robins nest in my backyard before I built the deck. So you could say that by building the deck (and adding noise and disruption to the natural habitat) I actually CREATED a nesting habitat for the birds. Maybe this coaster could serve a similar purpose? Either way, the birds and the trees will be fine. Requesting an Environmental Impact study on such a project is merely your liberal temper tantrum. This coaster will bring much needed tourism $'s to the City and have little impact on the environment. Do not block progress please, it seems to be lacking in this City right now.
Posted by: Dick Fitzwell on 10/09/2009 2:40 PM
Tourism dollars are the ONLY dollars coming into the city....practically the entire city's economics are based on the low paying jobs of the tourism industry....what are a few more bucks going to do but make the Paluccis, Goldfines, Bigas, et al. even more rich.
Posted by: ..... on 10/09/2009 5:57 PM
I been birdwatching for nearly 35 plus years and during those year I guide people from other states to look for birds in northeastern Minnesota, I lead field trips and etc..
I totally support this project by Spirit Mountain and since I live right below Spirit Mt. I doubt the coaster will have any negative impact on the birds since very few bird species actually nest on the hillside. The only place that needs protection at Spirit Mt. is the areas west of the ski area called Magney Snively.
To me this ride looks like a lot of family fun!
Mike H.
Posted by: Mike H on 10/10/2009 6:53 PM
Disrupting the environment. . . probably has some legitimacy, but that is beside the point. This is a stupid idea. I don't see how this is going to bring anyone to Duluth. Yeah some people will use it while staying in the Spirit Mtn area, but I don't think anyone is going to say "oh let's go to Duluth and ride a Roller Coaster knock off."
Posted by: Nate on 10/12/2009 1:14 PM
I can't wait to see this project completed. I think there should be a study done on Spirit Mountain on how to better utilize this gem to bring in more skiers and more summer time activities and uses. Bring in more people, bring in more money and help Duluth capture more tax revenue.
Posted by: Ben J. on 10/12/2009 2:14 PM
Mike H, It appears you are well qualified to comment. Thanks for your comments. I hope others will listen to balanced reasoning like yours.
Posted by: streetuser on 10/12/2009 3:15 PM
Ben J: Good points. Spirit Mountain completed its long range master plan last year and this coaster is part of their efforts to expand summertime use. You can find all the details at
http://www.spiritmt.com/masterplan.aspx
Posted by: Nick L on 10/13/2009 11:22 AM
Choose tax revenue and entertainment over nature if you like, but at least be honest about it. Denying the fact that this will destroy habitats and displace animals is just ridiculous spin. It's fine to disagree with the author as far as whether or not this coaster is worth building, but please don't use inane false logic as justification.
Posted by: Megan on 10/14/2009 7:13 AM
