The Homestead in Glen Arbor is committed to several improvements of the winter resort in 2025.
America’s freshwater resort has made improvements to chair lifts and boosted its snow making capabilities right in time for a projected ski opening on Dec. 26, according to owner Bob Kuras.
The resort is typically open Friday through Sunday.
Kuras hired a contractor based in Washington and Oregon to replace the cable on the main lift that cost over $100,000. Despite braving the conditions of last winter, Kuras is optimistic the weather will be better and all five lifts will be going when the conditions are right.
The Homestead will also be making major improvements to Cavanaughs, the resort’s cafe in terms of product selection.
The Homestead in Glen Arbor announced that Jim Becsey, a Traverse City native, has been hired as the new building and grounds manager at the Glen Arbor resort .
Becsy will be responsible for the upkeep of resort-owned buildings and maintenance of the grounds, including the resort ski facilities.
Homestead owner and CEO Robert Kuras believes the hire will benefit the resort and provide greater oversight of the 500-acre property.
“This is a significant change which is being made to further upgrade our properties and the services we deliver to owners of other properties at the resort,” Kuras said.
Kuras continued saying the extensive experience and familiarity with the property made him the ideal candidate for the position.
“I’m excited to be here,” Becset said.
He boasts a longtime connection to the resort. Becsy and his wife spent their honeymoon at The Homestead. They also taught their kids to ski at the resort.
“We started coming here in the late 1970s,” he said.
BECSEY
SANDERS
Among his responsibilities, Becsy will be overseeing maintenance of exteriors and interiors.
Becsey will oversee the grounds at the 500-acre property, including maintenance of parking lots, removal of snow in the winter and lawn care and landscaping in the summer.
“I’ll also be overseeing the maintenance and operation of the ski operations, including the lifts, scheduling snowmaking and grooming.
Becsey has held a number of positions that make him qualifi ed.
He was the Vice President of Facilities Development & Operations at Washtenaw Community College, where he was responsible for design and construction of new buildings and major renovations, as well as the maintenance and upkeep of all college-owned and leased facilities. Prior to that he was Director of Facilities Management at Lake Superior State University, where he oversaw 1,500,000 square feet of building and 155 acres of grounds. He served in similar positions at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, and Davenport University.
“My background in engineering and facilities drew me to large university properties,” he said.
Kuras went on to mention the Manitou Passage Golf Course, which is owned by the Homestead, had a strong showing this year.
The Homestead is still recovering from a ransomware attack on June 19.
