At the top of Misty Ridge Society’s to-do list is the installation of a new ski lift.
It is also an item that the not-for-profit organization that operates the ski hill in the County of Barrhead thought they had already crossed off its list when they purchased a $24,000 new-to-them ski-lift from a ski hill in B.C.
Unfortunately, difficulties in delivery, as well as getting documentation from the seller, has effectively put a stop to the deal.
As a result, the society asked County of Barrhead councillors Feb. 19 for $50,000 to go towards the purchase of an Austrian made T-bar style lift from Muller Ski Lifts in Vernon, BC.
Later in the meeting, councillors voted 4-0 to send the matter forward to their budget deliberation sessions. Councillors Marvin Schatz, Walter Preugschas and Dennis Nanninga were absent.
Society secretary Louise Miller said the ski hill has a number of issues that need to be addressed, but replacing the bunny hill’s 35-year-old tow-rope is their top priority.
“It is not user-friendly, does not have variable speed controls, frustrates children and inexperienced skiers, and most importantly it is getting worn out and it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain,” she said.
In 2017, the Elks Lodge donated $79,000 to the ski hill to make a number of improvements, the number one being the purchase of the used ski lift.
Shortly after that is when their good fortune ended, Miller said.
First, a dispute between a member of the board and a ski hill employee resulted in them losing a quad on tracks, as well as a generator used in making snow.
At about the same time, three heavy duty extension cords valued at $3,000 were stolen. Their loss meant the hill could no longer make snow, Miller said.
“With these setbacks, along with poor winter weather, they decided to cancel the season and use the time to regroup,” she said.
However, Miller said the added cost of the ski-lift means they are basically starting at ground zero once again.
Between the Elks’ donation and the money from Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) — a matching provincial grant that provides financial assistance to acquire, build, purchase, repair, renovate, upgrade or expand sports, recreational, cultural or other related public-use community facilities — the society will only be able to come up with half of what is needed for the ski lift.
They also discussed the possibility of going with another model, which had more features but was about double the price.
“It had a height adjustment, and that would allow our snow groomer to go underneath it, and it would have allowed us to utilize more of the bunny hill,” she said.
Miller said they are stepping up their fundraising efforts, but anything they raise is needed for the hill’s day-to-day operations as well as other projects.
Society president Matt Swan said the hill has operated on a shoestring budget over the years and other issues also need to be addressed, one of them being a solution for their poor water.
Currently, the hill uses bottled water for drinking and washing dishes because their well water is unfit for consumption.
The society is investigating bringing in a cistern and trucking in water.
They are also in the process of installing lights for night skiing, with half of the lighting poles already in place, but Miller noted the real expense is the lights themselves and underground power cables.
It is estimated it will cost between $15,000 and $20,000 to complete the project.
The society also needs to replace the generator for its snowmaking equipment, at a cost of about $30,000.
Coun. Darrell Trook said he was concerned about sustainability.
“Ski hills are closing across the province because municipalities will not foot the bill,” he said.
“To be sustainable, in my mind, lighting is as almost as important the lift. You can’t expect to be able to operate two or three days a week with the amount of daylight we get in the winter. You need to have night skiing.”
Coun. Ron Kleinfeldt was also concerned about the hill’s sustainability.
“I guess what I want to know is if this going to be a recurring theme?” he asked.
In the spring of 2017, the hill’s existence was in doubt, but a $10,000 cash infusion from the county to help cover the society’s deficit for the 2016/17 operating season, with funds its received from a charity casino, ensured the ski hill would be able to start the season.
Miller said the new lift and the completion of the lights would go a long way in their efforts to be self-sufficient.
Reeve Doug Drozd asked if they had any luck getting their $12,000 deposit returned from the seller of the used lift.
“We checked with a lawyer, who is willing to write a letter to the seller pro bono for us, suggested our options are limited,” said Miller.
“Any legal action would take place in a B.C. court and legal fees would probably be more than what we would get.”
Miller said their only recourse would be to pressure the seller into returning their deposit by filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, as well as the Western Ski Association.
“(These are) things that would hamper his ability to get future sales,” she added.
