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The City Council will be presented with a tax increment financing agreement expected to save Mill Town Capital about $215,000 over the next decade on the Bousquet Sport facility.

Mill Town Seeking TIF for Bousquet Sport

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mill Town Capital is requesting a 10-year tax increment financing agreement for the redevelopment of the former Berkshire West into Bousquet Sport. 

On Tuesday, the City Council will be presented with a TIF that is expected to save the investment firm about $215,000 in real estate taxes over a decade, starting at 100 percent in fiscal 2025 and decreasing to 10 percent by fiscal 2034.

"Bousquet Sport, located at 100 Dan Fox Drive in Pittsfield, will feature a multi-purpose sports facility that will include six pickleball courts, new locker rooms, cardio and fitness equipment," Mayor Linda Tyer wrote in an order.

"The facility will be fully renovated to be building, fire and ADA code compliance. Mill Town Capital is investing $19,000,000 in improvements to the property and projecting the need for three full-time employees with an additional 15 part­-time employees." 

In the last few years, Mill Town has redeveloped the historic Bousquet Ski mountain and the former Lakeside Christian Camp into Camp Arrow Wood.

The investment firm says the acquisition of Bousquet and Bousquet Sport, which are across the street from one another, would meet a growing future demand for outdoor recreation and wellness. 

A new 15,000-square-foot addition will feature six pickleball courts, two golf simulators, a beverage center, a pro shop, office space, and a customer center. 

The existing 45,000-square-foot facility will be upgraded with new locker rooms, new cardio and fitness equipment, and multiple renovations to bring it up to code. 

The exterior of the building and its property will also be renovated. 

"Mill Town Capital has projected a capital investment in Bousquet Sport of $15,000,000 in hard costs and $4,000,000 in soft costs for a total investment of $19,000,000. In FY24 real estate taxes for Bousquet Sport total $72,076.75. The projected real estate taxes are projected to average $99,809 per year over the next 10 years, even with the approval of the proposed Tax Increment Financing Agreement," a memorandum reads. 

"Additional taxes will be collected for the two other properties Mill Town has acquired in. the vicinity. Mill Town Capital is projecting the need for three (3) full time employees for Bousquet, supplemented with 15 part-time employees." 

A new, 15,000 square-foot ski lodge at Bousquet was constructed in place of the over 50-year building that was found to be out of code.  

The mountain, which welcomed skiers back in late 2021, also underwent upgrades to its lift and snowmaking equipment. 

The sports-centric Camp Arrow Wood opened last summer, offering a traditional camp, a leadership camp for older student-athletes, and an outdoor adventure camp. 


Tags: mill town,   tax exemption,   

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PHS, Taconic Seniors Honored With Superintendent's Award

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Taconic's Nicholas Kerwood and Pittsfield High's Lisa Chen are the top students in the class of 2025. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Two Pittsfield Public Schools seniors have been recognized for excellence in and out of the classroom.

Pittsfield High School's Lisa Chen and Taconic High School's Nicholas Kerwood were given the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents' Certificates of Academic Excellence during Wednesday's School Committee meeting.

The annual award is given to students who go above and beyond in academic achievement and community involvement.

Guidance counselor Jillian Galvagni, who has known Kerwood for four years while attending Taconic commended him for an impressive workload of advanced courses and inspiring leadership in extracurriculars.

"Nicholas has consistently demonstrated a remarkable commitment to advancing educational opportunities and promoting excellence within the academic community," she wrote in a letter of recommendation.

"His proactive approach to educational leadership and his ability to inspire and empower both students and educators are truly impressive."

Along with being at the top of his class, Kerwood has taken six Advanced Placement courses and 11 honors courses during his high school tenure. He is currently taking three AP courses at Berkshire Community College and still finds time to be a part of the Taconic community.

"Nicholas is the kind of leader who brings people together. As captain of the cross country team, a member of several clubs, and part of the theater department, he's always working to keep communication flowing and build strong connections. He has made a real difference during his time at Taconic," Galvagni wrote.

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