Summer programming at the Tawatinaw Valley Ski Hill will be limited this year, putting a damper on plans to offer the site as a four-season destination for recreation seekers around the region.
After a very successful winter season, which saw about 9,000 patrons visit the hill, management was looking forward to promoting the hill for the summer, but drainage and infrastructure issues have put much of that on hold for the time being.
General manager Steve Kimpton said that although the ski hill has three weddings planned this season and has already hosted a 75th birthday party at the chalet, conditions need to be improved to accommodate larger events.
“Coming into spring we had high hopes for what our program would be this summer … We quickly realized we’ve got a bit of work to do on our infrastructure as far as … how soft the parking lot really was, the limited number of vehicles we could park there because of that, and just how wet it was around the bottom of the hill.”
During the winter, Kimpton said about 1.5 million gallons of water are pumped over the hill for snow. Once the season is over, drainage is a problem at the bottom of the hill.
“This summer, we’re really focused on trying to address that stuff, see what we can do to get things a little bit more ready … for next summer.”
The plan is to gravel and pack the parking lot and address the drainage issues at the bottom of the hill by adding to the existing infrastructure.
“The county, when they were still operating it, they did put a drainage ditch that’s filled with gravel across the base of the hill running out to a dug-out that really is working quite well. We’re looking at adding on to that, putting some fingers off the low spots,” said Kimpton.
Because the facilities are county-owned, the Tawatinaw Valley Ski Club, which has a three-year agreement to operate the facility, must receive approval from the municipality for any projects they intend to pursue.
A report for the month of June submitted to Westlock County council by director of planning and community services Laurie Strutt at the council meeting held July 16 indicates that “five major projects (have been) submitted to county for approval, with two more requiring information before approval can be granted.”
“We would take on the projects ourselves, whether that’s money in our budget or we have to … look at grants,” said Kimpton.
In order to raise money for upgrades, the operators are hosting a disc hockey event scheduled for Aug. 24.
“Lunch will be available. That evening we’re going to have a dinner as well … followed up with an open mic event. Of course, the bar will be open,” said Kimpton.
Opening up the cross-country skills for mountain biking, hosting mud runs and music festivals “are all ideas the board and myself have thrown around on things that we could definitely look at,” he added.
Marketing the facility as a wedding venue is also in the plans. Promotional pictures will be taken at one of the weddings booked for this summer.
“We really hadn’t gone after weddings. These three couples approached us,” which gave the idea to operators to start attending wedding shows and market the facility as a venue.
“We’re really trying to be an open book, whether that’s to the county or the community. We’re more than happy to answer their questions,” said Kimpton.
