The people behind the newly rebranded Tawatinaw Valley reached out to the public with an open house event last week to offer gratitude for the recent support from the community in helping to keep the facility open and to keep residents up to date with their plans for the future.
The soon-to-be four-season facility hosted the event Oct. 20 and included a job fair, an opportunity to grab a season pass and ask new board members questions.
“We’re 60 days into this since approval and we’ve got another 60 days before opening, so we’re kind of on a tight timeline, but we are absolutely thrilled. One of the things I’m most thrilled about is the support of the community,” said Heather Toporowski, a member of the Friends of Tawatinaw group that approached Westlock County with an several offers to operate the hill earlier this year.
Over 280 hours of volunteer work have been put into getting the area prepped for the winter season, just in the last two weekends, she said, adding a number of local businesses and professionals have also stepped up to offer their services to the facility.
“It has really been embraced by the whole community. It’s a really good feeling. Everybody is interested and they want to see it be a success,” said Toporowski.
Part of the group’s pitch to county council was transforming the area into a four-season facility, hence the dropping of ‘ski hill’ from the name. Toporowski said that goal is coming along very well, citing interest from a couple weddings parties, a bike club and an equestrian club just in the last few months.
“Our focus really is to get ready for the ski season and have a successful ski season, though we do have people enquiring about weddings and Christmas parties. We have a local seniors program and they’re interested in maybe bringing a van of their folks down for lunch,” said Toporowski.
The open house was attended by Westlock County Coun. Victor Julyan along with Town of Westlock Coun. David Truckey and Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater MLA Colin Piquette. Local MLA Glenn van Dijken sent his regrets, but had a prior engagement.
Friends of Tawatinaw president Wendy Batog also praised the support from the community and the hard work of the volunteers.
“I just want to thank everyone for the support. It has taken many hands at our table to put this together and I’m just really thankful that we have a lot of hands on our table at the ski hill, which is now four seasons. We look forward to many events in here that are non-snow related as well,” said Batog, who also praised her board for their hard work as well.
Another piece of the agreement with the county is to match its $50,000 per year operating contribution, which, through the generosity of the Westlock Rotary Club and 100 Women Who Care has been taken care of for the length of the three-year operating agreement. Not only that, members of both groups have also been out helping at the work bees held at the hill in the last few weeks.
The Westlock Elks have also provided the group with an opportunity to work weekly bingos and will be forthcoming with a donation.
“We are so, so thankful to everybody who has supported us and helped in so many ways. We are really committed to being a four-season opportunity and we are really committed to operating in a financially responsible way which is why so many of us have donated our time,” said Toporowski. “We’re all here because we all think it’s an important thing for the community. It’s just such a great thing to see happening”
“I just hope everyone enjoys the facility,” said Batog.
