The new scaffold at the Pine Mountain ski jump is shown, illuminated at night.

IRON MOUNTAIN — Gundlach Champion of Iron Mountain will be hired by Dickinson County to design an elevator for the Pine Mountain ski jump, a project that’s needed to meet standards for international competitions.

The county board voted 3-2 to accept a cost not to exceed $19,500 for preliminary design-build services.

Without an elevator, the Kiwanis Ski Club will be unable to host World Cup ski jumping as envisioned for 2023, Commissioner Joe Stevens said.

Gundlach Champion also proposes the elevator as a tourist attraction.

Chairman Henry Wender and Commissioner Ann Martin voted no, as no ski club representatives were present. Wender wants assurances the ski club can see the project through.

“I’m surprised they’re not here, frankly,” said Martin, who suggested delaying action until the May 10 meeting.

Stevens noted the preliminary design will take about two months to complete and it’s important to get the timeline started.

Controller Brian Bousley, who had expected the ski club to be represented, said the county is making no commitment toward funding the elevator or its tower. The elevator will access a recently constructed warming hut at the top of the jump.

Commissioner Barbara Kramer said the Dickinson Area Economic Development Alliance has estimated the Continental Cup tournament has an economic impact of $1.5 million for one weekend alone.

Commissioner John Degenaer Jr. called the project “an investment in our future.”

In a March 9 letter to Bousley, Gundlach Champion said it would gather information from suppliers to understand and coordinate elevator requirements for tourists and athletes alike. A preliminary design for Kramer Road at the ski jump will be included, along with cost estimates and schedules, said Stanley Kaczmarek, president.

Coleman Engineering of Iron Mountain and Integrated Designs of Marquette, two firms involved in recent modifications to the ski jump, will be part of the planning.

To meet International Ski Federation standards and ensure the tournament’s future, the Kiwanis have undertaken a more than $3 million renovation of the historic jump. This year’s Continental Cup tournament was canceled due to pandemic restrictions. The tentative date for a 2022 event is Feb. 5-6.

The non-profit ski club is raising funds to help offset revenues lost due to the cancellation of this year’s tournament and to repay the cost of the ski jump rebuild.

In other action, the county board:

— Reappointed Dale Johnson to a three-year term on the Dickinson County Road Commission and appointed Quintin Olson to partial term expiring April 30, 2023.

— Reappointed Robert Doepker to a three-year term on the Fumee Lake Commission. Two vacancies remain.

— Appointed Wanda Khor to the Dickinson County Library Board for a partial term expiring Dec. 31, 2024.

— Appointed Tyler Wittock and Dylan Bolander to the Veterans Affairs Board for partial terms expiring Dec. 31, 2024.

— Reappointed Dennis Baldinelli to the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority for a three-year term. Two vacancies remain.

— Appointed Amber Butterfield as an environmental interest group representative on the Solid Waste Management Planning Committee. Vacancies remain for solid waste industry, regional planning and general public members.

— Received no applications for vacancies on the Northpointe Behavioral Healthcare Board and the Dickinson County Planning Commission.

— Rescheduled, at the request of Dickinson County Healthcare System officials, a hospital update to May 10.