Owners of California ski resort plan to erect huge statue of the VIRGIN MARY on its slopes, sparking anger from one local who claims it'll offend non-Christians

A California ski resort park announced its plans to erect a massive statue of the Virgin Mary in honor of one of its owners - but has sparked outrage from locals. 

Owner of Mount Shasta Ski Park, Robin Merlo, plans to build a 20-foot statue of the Virgin Mary in honor of her dead husband and co-owner Ray Merlo. 

The memorial statue will be installed at the top of the Douglas Butte chairlift on Mount Shasta. 

In a statement, the resort said the project was 'a shared goal' for the couple. 

They also clarified that the statue was not a 'focus on any one religion but to acknowledge and honor the beauty and spiritual power of the mountain'. 

The statement read: 'We are in the process of building a 20ft tall Virgin Mary Statue at the top of Douglas. This season, you will see what will be the Statue's platform, and the statue itself will be in place by next summer.

'The installation of this statue is very important to our owner as this was a shared goal with her late husband and business partner, Ray Merlo. 

'They have dedicated their resources to improving the Ski Park over the last few years and in the words of Robin Merlo, this statue is a promise fulfilled and a true representation of the dedication to family that we all value so much here at the Ski Park. 

'The goal is not to focus on any one religion but to acknowledge and honor the beauty and spiritual power of the mountain we all love so much.'

Despite their claim that the statue is not meant to focus on only one religion, many locals have expressed their disapproval. 

One Instagram user wrote: 'Honoring the spirituality of the mountain could and should be more inclusive than a 20-foot statue of Mary, especially given the stated goal of 'not focusing on one religion. 

'Please consider a different approach that fosters belonging for everyone.'

One user even said a statue honoring the mountain's indigenous history should be built instead. 

'Maybe erect a statue showing respect to the native folks killed by religion who were there long before y'all owned the mountain,' they said. 

Evidence of a Native American camp on the north side of Mt. Shasta in northern California dates back to at least 600 BCE and possibly 2500 BC. 

The mountain was home to the Shasta, the Modoc, the Wintu and the Ajumawi/Atsuwegi tribe and was known by them as 'Sastise'. 

The backlash reached to the extent of a resident, using the name 'Joe Skibum', has launched a change.org petition. 

The petition is titled 'Stop the Construction of a Religious Statue at Our Local Ski Park' and calls the ski park a 'community gathering spot.'

It also states that the statue will alienate their diverse community members who follow religions other than Christianity. 

'The ski park is not just an outdoor space; it's our community's gathering spot. It is where we teach our children to ski and meet with friends and family during the winter months,' the petition read. 

'The religious icon currently under construction threatens to alienate members of our diverse community who do not share the same religious beliefs. Local gathering places, whether private or not, should remain neutral spaces that promote inclusivity and respect for all visitors.

'We ask the owners of Mount Shasta Ski Park to cease and desist this construction project immediately.

'We ask the US Forest Service, with whom the ski park holds use permits, to insist that Mount Shasta Ski Park discontinue this project.

'We suggest donating the money allocated for this project toward something that might actually benefit the community in a real way, such as a much-needed homeless shelter or detox facility. 

'Please sign this petition if you believe in preserving the unity, diversity, and natural beauty of Mount Shasta's local ski park.'

According to Ski magazine, the US Forest Service owns the upper slopes of the ski park and leases them to the resort. 

But the ski park’s online employee handbook says it has special permits for Forest Service land adjacent to privately owned park property.

The petition has reached 1,635 signatures and has a goal set at 2,500 at the time of publishing.