N.Y. firm to manage resort at St. Mary

The Daily Inter Lake

The Resort at Glacier in St. Mary will reopen for the 2006 season under new management, after decades of being managed by the Black family.

Sally Black Welder confirmed Monday that Delaware North Companies Parks and Resorts has been named the new operator of the 117-room resort, which opens May 26 for the summer.

Welder cited the Buffalo, N.Y.-based company's "extensive" success in hotel and hospitality management, as well as its strong ties with national parks, in the decision.

"They're doing a great job," she said, referring to the new management, which also operates park-related businesses at Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park and stores in Yellowstone National Park.

Kevin Kelly, company president, called the St. Mary resort "a perfect fit," and outlined plans to implement an environmental stewardship program and broaden the resort's dining offerings.

"We look forward to this exciting opportunity to operate one of Montana's most unique vacation experiences," he said.

Walter Kochansky, a Delaware North associate, was named general manager.

That job for years has been the responsibility of Welder's brother, Roscoe Black. The business still is owned by family stockholders.

"It's still owned by the stockholders, and Roscoe is still a stockholder," Welder said.

St. Mary was largely established by Hugh Black, who came to the area as a Glacier National Park ranger in the 1930s.

His widow, Margaret, is now 103 and still spends summers in St. Mary.