As for the course, to hold it in a place which will increase exposure so much can only be a good thing. They've got a year to get it sorted, no point in judging it by what it looks like now.
Bumping this thread by saying that I'm going to try to put a road trip together for this. I know a few people around here that will be down with driving across the lake.
I find it funny im actually going there this weekend for a Gravity East race. With it being located near the Catskills, im pretty sure its gonna be fun.