AMC’s Medawisla Lodge & Cabins features work area contractors

KOKADJO — More than 50 local workers, including a dozen Maine contractors, have been employed in the construction of the Appalachian Mountain Club’s (AMC’s) new lodge and cabins on Second Roach Pond near Kokadjo.

Medawisla Lodge and Cabins, one of three wilderness lodges operated by AMC and open to use by the public, is set to open next summer. Many Moosehead-area contractors have been involved in the construction of nine new cabins, two bunkhouses, a waterfront pavilion and a new lodge that includes a wood-fired sauna for winter use.

Medawisla is off the grid and powered by a robust photovoltaic system that provides solar-derived power to serve electrical needs. In addition, the new lodge was designed with such environmentally sustainable features as composting toilets and extensive insulation.

The project demonstrates AMC’s commitment to hiring local contractors and sourcing materials locally whenever possible.

“AMC’s significant investment throughout Piscataquis County in the renovation of existing buildings, construction of new lodges, land acquisitions, and commitment to hiring local residents has helped the county experience an increase in employment as well as recreationally based tourism,” said Christopher Winstead, executive director of the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council.

The general contractor for the project is E.W. Littlefield & Sons, Inc., of Hartland. The building subcontractors are Belmont Construction of Greenville, Snowman’s Construction of St. Albans, and CB Mason of Greenville.

Other contractors employed in the project include Trafton Plumbing & Heating of Pittsfield, Malatesta Machine & Welding of Sangerville, Kodiak Steel Company of Clinton, O’Donald’s Concrete of Newburg, Leone Concrete of Newport, Haley Concrete of Sangerville, Quality Insulation of Yarmouth, Kimball Masonry of St. Albans and East Road Electric of Greenville.

The main building materials supplier is Hammond Lumber of Belgrade.

Engineering services were provided by S.W. Cole Engineering of Bangor.

Dining room furnishings, crafted in Maine from locally sourced wood, were purchased from Maine Made Furniture Co. in Rumford.

Woodstoves in guest cabins were manufactured in Gorham by Jotul North America and purchased from Rocky’s Stove Shoppe in Augusta.

The new Medawisla is a component of AMC’s broader Maine Woods Initiative, an innovative approach to conservation that combines outdoor recreation, resource protection, sustainable forestry, and community partnerships. To date, AMC has purchased and permanently conserved 70,000 acres of forest land, all open to the public; created more than 130 miles of recreational trails and opened three sporting camps to the public, established a Forest Stewardship Council-certified sustainable forestry operation that employs local forest products workers and supplies local mills, and developed partnerships with local Piscataquis County schools.

“One of the greatest opportunities for economic growth within Piscataquis County lies in adventure-based tourism and outdoor recreation,” Winstead said. “AMC’s investment creates another draw to the county, they continue to bring people to the region and help them make a deeper connection to the wonders our woods, waters, and trails hold.”

To learn more and follow AMC’s progress in building Medawisla Lodge and Cabins, please visit www.outdoors.org/medawisla.

Founded in 1876, the AMC promotes the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the mountains, forests, waters and trails of America’s Northeast. AMC helps people of all ages and abilities to explore and develop a deep appreciation of the natural world. With chapters from Maine to Washington, D.C., guidebooks and maps, and unique lodges and huts, AMC helps people get outdoors on their own, with family and friends and through activities close to home and beyond. AMC invites the public to support its conservation advocacy and research, youth programming and care of 1,800 miles of trails. More information is available at www.outdoors.org.