There is little chance the new Tawatinaw Valley Ski Chalet will be ready in time for the coming ski season, and the entire ski season may be scrapped.
Westlock County reeve Bud Massey said problems with both the old and new ski chalets mean it’s possible there won’t even be a ski season at all.
“If everything fails, there’s a chance, but all of the effort today from administration and from council is to find some way to have a ski season,” he said.
The new $2 million building is mostly complete, and was originally scheduled for completion by June 2014. During the spring runoff, however, significant water issues were discovered that have rendered the building unusable.
Massey said the county has contracted the services of an independent civil engineer to help determine what needs to be done to get the building operational.
“It’s one thing to criticize the building, but the other is don’t we have to do something positive about remedying the situation?” he said. “That’s the real issue, is how we are going to make it usable for the county residents.”
He said he didn’t know the exact cost of the contract, but suggested if it costs in the neighbourhood of $15,000, that should be seen as a good use of money.
“To get the answers to make the right choices to reduce the cost of making any more mistakes is a wise investment,” he said. “We don’t have anyone on council who are qualified to make those choices. We have people who are willing to vote once they have all the facts.”
Massey would not rule out the possibility of legal action to recoup the costs associated with finding a remedy to the water problem, but said at this point the priority remains getting the new building operational.
It may not be possible to use the old building for another season, either. It was used last year with special permission from the health inspector, based on the assumption a new building would be available this season.
Massey said council has asked for reports from the fire departments and from the county’s building inspection consultant to determine what would need to be done to keep the old chalet functional for another season, but said the county would also need approval from Occupational Health & Safety — something that’s not guaranteed.
“We’ve also explored the option that if that building isn’t ready, can we bring in portables? We’re looking for solutions, and we don’t have any answers,” he said. “We’re seeking information to make intelligent choices.”
As council is still awaiting the various reports it has asked for, it is not currently in a position to make any decision. But with just about two months to go until the typical opening day at Tawatinaw Valley, there isn’t much time left.
