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Somehow he managed to inveigle a group of prominent Californians to serve as a watchdog commission over the steadily expanding state expenditures at Squaw. He became president of the Olympic Organizing Committee that had been set up to stage the games. The conflict of interests was obvious at once to everyone but Cushing. He stubbornly insisted that Cushing the Olympics promoter and Cushing the resort owner could lead separate lives, finally stepped down in December 1955 as cries mounted for his scalp.
The Price Goes Up. The new committee chairman, tough-talking Prentis Cobb Hale, head of a West Coast department store chain, promptly told Cushing to go back to Squaw and keep his nose out of Olympic business. "He treated me like a criminal," complains Cushing. "He gave orders that none of his employees were to talk to me when they came up here." Saddled with making good on Cushing's extravagant promises to the Olympic nations, purposeful Prentis Hale brooked no nonsense, made few friends, but ultimately got results.
An architect's survey determined that there would have to be sewage and flood-control facilities, access roads, an ice skating stadium and practice rinks, a ski jump area, at least three new lifts. On top of that, dormitories would have to be built. Total estimated cost: at least $8,000,000. Hale got $4,000,000 from the legislature, had to go back for $2,990,000 more. When the state finally balked, he got $4,000.000 from the Federal Government.
The Olympic program for Squaw Valley is rolling along on schedule. The 3,300-ft. lift for slalom runs is finished; another up Squaw Peak is under construction. The dormitories are virtually complete, the jump is ready, administration buildings are up, the skating arena is well along. At the state's insistence, Cushing has built a spectacular new 5,000-ft. lift up the side of Squaw Peak's neighbor, KT-22.
Home from Hot Dogs. Cushing's own property stands at the focus of the Olympic activity area. He has survived criticism and natural catastrophe with great aplomb. The burned-out lodge has been replaced, is now an adequate blue-pastel structure featuring a radiant-heated outdoor dining terrace and candlelit cocktail lounge in which Jazz Pianist Ralph Sutton displays his talents. Critics still complain that Cushing begrudges many comforts, that his sleeping quarters are still far from first class, overpriced ($18 a day) and resound to every footfall. Cushing admits that his accommodations could be better, will decide after the Olympics just how to improve them.
The Cushings live just 100 yds. from the lodge, in what once was a hot dog stand in the resort's early days. It has been converted and expanded into a comfortable, split-level home, featuring bright crimson walls and ceilings in the main living area. Here Alec and Justine can relax with their three daughters—Justine, 18 (at Radcliffe College), Lily, 15 (at swank Foxcroft in Virginia), and Alexandra, 10, who attends school in nearby Truckee.