BARRHEAD - Misty Ridge Ski Hill Society will receive a $2,500 community policy grant from the county despite there being some questions from some County of Barrhead councillors about whether the organization's project met the policy's criteria.
Councillors approved administration's recommendation to approve the society's application by a 6-1 vote during their Nov. 21 meeting. Deputy reeve Marvin Schatz was opposed.
The ski hill, 30 kilometres north of Barrhead, next to the Athabasca River, opened its doors in 1972 to provide a low-cost outdoor recreational facility for skiers of all skill levels.
The County of Barrhead purchased the original 10 acres from Walter and Helen Neuman and leased the slopes to Jack and Jeanne Bozak.
The Bozaks made an agreement with the county to take over the lease during the winter months, with it reverting to grazing lands in the summer.
The policy, which has been in place since February 2021, allows eligible community organizations to receive up to $2,500 in funding that can go towards a project or event that benefits county residents.
The program is capped at $15,000 annually, with funding coming from the recreation organizational reserve.
To be eligible for a community grant, groups must be a registered non-profit society, charitable organization, volunteer group or service club that provides services within or that are readily accessible to county residents. Groups must also be in good standing with the municipality and can demonstrate the grant will be used for a project, service, structure or event.
After the society's approval, $1,250 remains in the pool.
The society will use the money to aid in making snow to create a good snowpack for its hopeful pre-Christmas opening.
County manager Debbie Oyarzun said the organization requested the $2,500 through in-kind support, primarily by providing labour.
But, she said that isn't possible as snowmaking happens primarily in the evening when county public work staff are unavailable. As such, the municipality would contribute financially if the council approved the application.
Oyarzun added that the administration recommends approval as the society meets the policy's criteria in that they are a volunteer organization in good standing with the county.
She also noted that the project provides a clear benefit to the community and that Misty Ridge is meeting the policy's requirement of providing at least 50 per cent of the project funding.
The society estimated the cost of the project at $8,000.
Coun. Bill Lane, council's Misty Ridge rep, said he supported the application, adding the ski hill would be facing several challenges if it wished to meet their pre-Christmas opening goal.
The most notable being the weather, he said, adding the ski hill has no snow currently, natural or otherwise.
Lane also said the ski hill just received the part it needed to repair its ski lift, which should be complete in the next few weeks.
Coun. Walter Preugschas questioned whether the application met the policy's criteria, saying the funding wasn't for a one-off project.
"It is going for an operational expense. [The ski hill] makes snow every year," he said.
Oyarzun countered, saying while that was true, it did not mean that the county had to approve such an application every year.
She added that while the application's approval was up to council's discretion, she believed it met the policy's criteria in that the funds would not be used to pay day-to-day operational expenses, saying it was more of a one-off request due to this year’s weather conditions.
"But that is exactly what they want to do," Schatz interjected. "Every year, they have to hire staff and make snow. It is an operational expense."
Preugschas reiterated that he considered snowmaking for a ski hill an operational expense but did not necessarily consider that "bad." However, he admitted that they may want to review and possibly amend the policy in the new year.
Stoik said while he also considered it an operational expense, he was willing to support the application, as it was late in the year, with the funding pool close to being expended.
Schatz argued that if they opened the door and amended the policy to allow operational expenses, they would have to increase the funding pool exponentially, saying every community hall would be making applications to offset their annual operating costs.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
